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THE MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 




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THE MEMOIRS OF 
RUFUS PUTNAM 

AND 

CERTAIN OFFICIAL PAPERS 
AND CORRESPONDENCE 

PUBLISHED BY THE 

NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES 

OF AMERICA IN THE STATE OF OHIO 

compiled and annotated by 
Miss ROWENA BUELL, Marietta, Ohio 

COLONIAL DAME OF MASSACHUSETTS AND MEMBER 
OF THE OHIO SOCIETY 




BOSTON AND NEW YORK 

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY 

^ht iMttt^iiK ptt^^, CambciDge 

1903 



ov-^L^ 



THE LIbKARY C-F 
CONCKESS, 

Two Copies kec«ivfco 
Copyrighi Entry 

cuss ^ XXa No. 

'^ 3 Of O, q 
COt'Y A. 









COPYRIGHT 1903 BY THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES 
OF AMERICA IN THE STATE OF OHIO 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED — 



Published December iqos 



4 - m 



1760 Commissioned Ensign, Massachusetts 

1773 Commissioned Deputy Surveyor, West Florida 

1774 Commissioned Captain Lieutenant of Grenadiers, Massa- 

chusetts 

1775 Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the 9th Regiment 

in the Army of the United Colonies 

1776 Appointed Military Engineer 

1776 Commissioned Colonel of the 5th Massachusetts Regi- 
ment in the Army of the United States 

1783 Commissioned Brigadier General in the Army of the 
United States 

1785 Appointed Superintendent of the Survey of Eastern 
Lands, Massachusetts 

1785 Appointed Member of the Committee for the Sale of 
Eastern Lands, Massachusetts 

1785 Appointed Surveyor of Western Lands under the Ordi- 

nance of 1785 

1786 Appointed Commissioner to the Penobscot Indians, 

Massachusetts 

1787 Appointed Justice of the Peace, Massachusetts 

1787 Elected Member of the General Assembly of Massachu- 
setts 

1787 Appointed Superintendent of the Affairs of the Ohio 

Company 

1788 Commissioned Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum, 

Washington County, Northwest Territory 

1788 Commissioned Judge of Probate, Washington County, 
Northwest Territory 

1790 Commissioned Judge of the General Court of the North- 
west Territory 

1792 Commissioned Brigadier General in the Army of the 
United States 

1796 Commissioned Surveyor General of the United States 

1801 Appointed Trustee of Ohio University 

1802 Elected Member of the First Ohio Constitutional Con- 

vention 



PREFATORY NOTE 

General Rufus Putnam was a man to delight the 
soul of a historian. He not only made history, he 
also recorded it. With painstaking care he pre- 
served all his voluminous correspondence, including 
copies of his own letters, for most of his life kept a 
journal, made extensive memoranda of various sorts, 
and punctiliously filed all his papers, adding explan- 
atory endorsements. His prominent position, as a 
trusted officer in the Revolutionary army and leader 
of the Marietta pioneers, brought him into contact 
with most of the noted men of our Republic in its 
early days, and gives to his papers exceptional value. 
This large mass of most interesting manuscript ma- 
terial was bequeathed to Marietta College by Gen- 
eral Putnam's grandson, William Rufus Putnam, and 
is now in possession of the College. Besides the 
Memoirs and letters printed in the present volume, 
this collection contains the original records and sur- 
veys of the Ohio Company of Associates, the early 
court records of Washington County, and a large 
mass of additional correspondence. A further collec- 
tion of manuscripts bequeathed to Marietta College 
by Dr. Samuel P. Hildreth includes much material 
connected with the early history of this section. 

The present publication is made possible through 
the active interest and generosity of the National 
Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the 
State of Ohio. A few years ago the Trustees of 



viii PREFATORY NOTE 

Marietta College granted to Mrs. Willis E. Hall (Ina 
Buckingham Fenner), a lineal descendant of General 
Rufus Putnam, the privilege of publishing these 
papers. Feeling that wider circulation would thus 
be given to papers of so great historical value, she 
transferred her right to the Society of Colonial 
Dames, of which she was an active member. The 
Publication Committee of this Society were most for- 
tunate in securing as editor Miss Rowena Buell, 
of Marietta, whose care and good judgment are evi- 
dent on every page. 

The purpose governing in the selection of papers 
for publication has been to portray General Putnam 
chiefly in his official character, and to print only 
those letters referred to in the Memoirs or closely 
germane to their subject-matter. In carrying out this 
purpose it has seemed desirable to print again some 
letters already published in " The Life, Journals, and 
Correspondence of Manasseh Cutler." A very few 
letters referred to in the Memoirs have not been 
found. 

The effort has been made to reproduce with minute 
accuracy these selected papers, many of which are 
entirely in General Putnam's own handwriting, and no 
one of which is without at least endorsement in his 
script. The editor has added some explanatory notes 
where it seemed necessary, denoting them by numer- 
als to distinguish them from General Putnam's own 
notes, which are marked by asterisks. 

It is hoped that this publication will awaken new 
interest in the early history of the West, as well as 
serve to call attention to a really notable figure of 



PREFATORY NOTE ix 

Revolutionary days, the trusted counsellor of Wash- 
ington, the brave leader of brave men, and the 
founder of the first permanent settlement in the 
Northwest Territory. 

Alfred Tyler Perry, 
President of Marietta College. 



CONTENTS 

Page 

INTRODUCTION BY HON. GEORGE F. HOAR . xxxi 

THE MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

Genealogical Lists 3 

Boyhood, 1738-1757 9 

Colonial Wars, 1757-1760 11 

Family Affairs 35 

Mississippi Explorations 36 

The Revolutionary War 54' 

Survey of Eastern Lands 100 

Formation of the Ohio Company 102 

The First Settlements in the Northwest Ter- 
ritory 104 

The Indian War 112 

Ohio Company Affairs 115 

Mission to the Hostile Indians 118 

Official Life 124 

OFFICIAL PAPERS AND CORRESPONDENCE 

General Washington to Rufus Putnam, March 31, 

1776 129 

Construction of fortifications at Providence. 
Rufus Putnam to General Washington, Novem- 
ber, 1776 129 

Report of a tour in the Highlands. 
General Washington to Rufus Putnam, April ii, 

1778 130 

Relative rank in the Massachusetts and Conti- 
nental lines. 
Rufus Putnam to General Washington, August 

30. 1778 131 

Protest concerning rank. 
General Alexander McDougall to Rufus Put- 
nam, February 27, 1779 134 

Orders misunderstood. 



xii CONTENTS 

RuFUS Putnam to General McDougall, Febru- 
ary 28, 1779 135 

Explanation of failure to carry out orders. 
RuFUS Putnam to General Washington, July 13, 

1779 ^37 

Report of observations at Verplanck's Point. 

RuFus Putnam to General Washington, August 8, 

1779 140 

Works at Fort Montgomery. 
General Wayne to Rufus Putnam, November 15, 

1779 ^41 

Movements in New Jersey. 
General Wayne to Rufus Putnam, December ii, 

1779 141 

Orders to reconnoiter. 

Rufus Putnam to the Hon. Jeremiah Powell, 

April 22, 1780 142 

The recruiting service. — Deduction of bounties. 
Colonel Joseph Thompson to Rufus Putnam, 

May I, 1780 146 

Acknowledgment of supplies for imprisoned of- 
ficers. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, May 24, 

1780 147 

Reinforcements. — Supplies. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, May 24, 

1780 148 

Position to oppose the enemy's advance. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, May 25, 1780 149 

Request for promotions barred. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, May 25, 

1780 149 

Arrangements to entrap the enemy. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, May 25, 

1780 150 

Movements of the enemy. — Provisions needed. 



CONTENTS xiii 

General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, May 26, 

1780 ^51 

Request for the return of a detachment. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, May 28, 

1780 152 

Request for news of the enemy. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, May 28, 

1780 152 

Movements of the enemy. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, June i, 

1780 ^53 

Plan to ambush. — Movements of detachments. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, June 3, 

1780 ^55 

Fear of investiture. — Collection of cattle. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, June 4, 

1780 . 156 

Advance of the enemy improbable. — Continua- 
tion of command upon the lines. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, June 4, 

1780 ^57 

Arrangements for the collection of cattle. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, June 5, 

1780 ^57 

Continuation of command upon the lines. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, June 6, 

1780 ^58 

Probable advance of the enemy in force. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, June 8, 

1780 ^59 

Report concerning a British deserter. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, June 9, 

1780 16° 

Report concerning a British deserter. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, June ii, 

1780 ^6° 

Report concerning a British deserter. 



xiv CONTENTS 

RuFus Putnam to General Robert Howe, June ii, 

1780 161 

Rumor of British defeat in New Jersey. — Pro- 
posal of an advance. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, June 12, 

1780 162 

Request for a personal interview. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, June 12, 

1780 163 

Orders to retire to the vicinity of West Point. 
WiNTHROP Sargent to Rufus Putnam, June 16, 

1780 163 

General Howe's orders to return to former can- 
tonment. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, June 16, 

1780 163 

Acknowledgment of the preceding. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, June 18, 

1780 164 

Arrangements to gain intelligence of the enemy. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, June 24, 

1780 165 

Advance of the enemy in force. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, July i, 

1780 165 

Request for exact information. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, July i, 

1780 i66 

Position of the enemy. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, July 5, 

1780 167 

Report concerning two British deserters. — Posi- 
tion and strength of the enemy. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, July 7, 

1780 168 

Measures to prevent depredations. 



CONTENTS XV 

RuFUS Putnam to General Robert Howe, July 7, 

1780 169 

Report of arrival at Crompond. — A British 
deserter. 
RuFus Putnam to General Robert Howe, July g, 

1780 170 

Strength and position of the enemy. — Request 
for clothing for detachment. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, July 13, 

1780 171 

Request for intelligence of the enemy. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, July 14, 

1780 172 

Urgent request for clothing. — Reduction of the 
line. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, July 16, 

1780 173 

Pass for two women and children. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, July 21, 

1780 173 

Continued lack of clothing. — Movements of a 
detachment of the enemy. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, July 22, 

1780 174 

Arrival of Admiral Graves. — Decrease in the 
detachment. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, July 23, 

1780 176 

Rumored movements of the enemy. 
General Robert Howe to Rufus Putnam, July 25, 

1780 176 

Reinforcement ordered. — Probability of an 
attack. 
Rufus Putnam to General Robert Howe, July 25, 

1780 177 

Movements and position of the enemy. 
General McDougall's Minutes to Committee of 
Congress, August, 1780 17^ 



xvi CONTENTS 

Complaint of officers concerning pay, pensions, 
and rations. 
Colonel John Greaton to Rufus Putnam, Jan- 
uary 8, 1781 182 

Appointment by the ist Massachusetts Brigade 
to settle with the State for arrears. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, August 22, 

1781 183 

Possibility of procuring flour. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, August 24, 

1781 183 

Supplies. — Endorsement of proposed movements 
with advance guard. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, August 27, 

1781 184 

Supplies. — Forage. — Chief aim to gain intelli- 
gence. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, August 30, 

1781 186 

Protection of foragers. — Request for intelli- 
gence. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, August 30, 

1781 187 

Supplies. — Restriction of the enemy's flags. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 2, 

1781 188 

Interception of despatches from Canada. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 7, 

1781 188 

Protection of foragers. — Arrival of French fleet 
in Chesapeake Bay. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 8, 

1781 189 

Reinforcement promised. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 10, 

1781 189 

Precautionary measures. 



CONTENTS xvii 

General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September lo, 

1781 190 

Clinton in a trap. — Enemy embarking. — Orders 
to recall a detachment. 

General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September ii, 

1781 192 

Supplies promised. — Removal of the army to 
Bald Hill. — Establishment of a line of communi- 
cation from the Sound. 

General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September it, 

1781 193 

Probable movements of the enemy. — Continued 
depredations. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 12, 

1781 195 

A reinforcement of three companies. — Return 
of detachment. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 15, 

1781 19s 

Detachment to be retained. 
General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 17, 

1781 196 

The 2nd Massachusetts Brigade to garrison West 
Point. 

General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 17, 
1781 196 

Colonel Weissenfel's regiment ordered to Al- 
bany. 

General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 22, 

1781 197 

Request for intelligence. 

General Heath to Rufus Putnam, September 22, 

1781 197 

Protection of foragers. 

Thoughts on a Peace Establishment for the 
United States, 1783. (Requested by General 
Washington.) 190 



xviii CONTENTS 

Location of forts. — Organization of regular army 
and of state militia. 
Petition of Army Officers for the Ohio Coun- 
try, May 7, 1783 215 

RuFus Putnam to General Washington, June 16, 

1783 216 

Concerning the petition for the Ohio country, 
RuFus Putnam to General Washington, April 5, 

1784 223 

The proposed settlement of the Ohio country. — 
Request for information of congressional action. 
General Washington to Rufus Putnam, June 2, 

1784 226 

Failure of Congress to act upon petition for the 
Ohio country. — Attempt to lease personal holdings 
on the Ohio. 
General Washington's Advertisement for Leas- 
ing Land, April 2, 1784 228 

Enclosure in the preceding. 
Charles Thomson to Rufus Putnam, May 28, 

1785 232 

Elected by Congress to survey western lands. 
Rufus Putnam to President Washington, July 24, 

1790 232 

Western affairs. — Indian depredations. 
Rufus Putnam to the Hon. Fisher Ames, 1790 . 234 
Argument for the retention of western territory by 
the United States. 

/ Rufus Putnam to (not addressed), January 6, 

1791 247 

Outbreak of Indian hostilities. 
The Secretary of War, Henry Knox, to Rufus 

Putnam, January 27, 1791 249 

Hope of government action against the Indians. 
The Hon. Fisher Ames to Rufus Putnam, Febru- 
ary 22, 1791 250 

Attitude of Congress toward the western territory. 



CONTENTS xix 

RuFus Putnam to the Secretary of War, March 

8, 1791 251 

Continued Indian depredations. — Rumor of gen- 
eral uprising. 
RuFus Putnam to the Secretary of War, March 

14, 1791 253 

Indian depredations. — Urgent appeal for gov- 
ernment aid. 
The Secretary of War to Rufus Putnam, March 

24, 1791 254 

Arrangements made for an extensive campaign. 
The Secretary of War to Rufus Putnam, April 

h 1791 255 

The militia to be called out. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, Au- 
gust 22, 1791 256 

Small losses from recent Indian hostilities. 
The Secretary of War to Rufus Putnam, May 

5' 1792 257 

Appointed brigadier-general. 
The Secretary of War to Rufus Putnam, May 

22, 1792 257 

Instructions for mission to the hostile Indians. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, June 

5' 1792 267 

Speech to the Indians sent from Pittsburg. — Pro- 
priety of restraining the militia from offensive oper- 
ations. 
Speech of Rufus Putnam to the Hostile Indians, 

June 5, 1792 269 

Invitation to a peace conference. — Request for 
an open road to Fort Jefferson. 
Rufus Putnam to General Wayne, June 23, 1792 271 
The exposed situation of the Ohio Company's 
settlements. 
Rufus Putnam to General Wilkinson, July 3, 
1792 272 



XX CONTENTS 

The mission to the Indians. — Preliminary mea- 
sures. 
RuFus Putnam to the Secretary of War, July 

5' 1792 273 

Indian attack near Fort Jefferson. — Probable 
death of Hardin and Trueman. — Prospect of a 
treaty at Fort Kn ox- 
General Wilkinson to Rufus Putnam, July 5, 

1792 278 

The outbreak of Fort Jefferson. — Fort Knox 
favorable for negotiations. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, July 8, 

1792 280 

Reasons for treating with Wabash Indians at Fort 

Knox. — Necessity of establishing posts from the 

upper Ohio to the mouth of the Cuyahoga. — Plan 

for an immediate campaign. 

Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, July 9, 

1792 290 

Propriety of establishing a post on the Mus- 
kingum. 
Rufus Putnam to General Wayne, July 10, 1792 291 
The Fort Jefferson outbreak. — Reported murder 
of Hardin and Trueman. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, July ii, 

1792 292 

Espousal of plan to establish posts on Lake Erie. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, July 14, 

1792 295 

Additional evidence of Trueman's death. — 
William Wells engaged as interpreter. 
Speech of a Wea Indian to Rufus Putnam, July 19, 

1792 297 

Request that Indian prisoners be taken to Fort 
Knox. 
Speech of Rufus Putnam to a Wea Indian, July 20, 

1792 298 

Promise to take Indian prisoners to Fort Knox. 



CONTENTS xxi 

RuFus Putnam to General Wilkinson, July 21, 

1792 299 

Treaty to be attempted at Fort Knox. — Request 
for an escort. 
General Wilkinson to Rufus Putnam, July 21, 

1792 300 

Request for estimates for expedition to Fort 
Knox. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, July 22, 

1792 301 

Decision to attempt a treaty at Fort Knox. — 
Plan of expedition. 
Rufus Putnam to General Wilkinson, July 23, 

1792 304 

Specifications for escort and provisions. 
Rufus Putnam to Major Hamtramck, July 24, 1792 305 
Enclosed speech to be sent to the Wabash In- 
dians. — Request for an escort. 
Speech of Rufus Putnam to the Wabash Indians, 

July 24, 1792 307 

Invitation to a conference at Fort Knox. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, July 26, 

1792 308 

Favorable prospect for consummating a treaty. 
The Secretary of the Northwest Territory, 
Winthrop Sargent, to Judges Putnam and 

Symmes, August 5, 1792 309 

Espionage of strangers. — Courts-martial. — Dep- 
redations of alien hunters. — Regulation of ferries, — 
Restriction of attorneys. — Prevention of nuisances. 
General Wayne to Rufus Putnam, August 6, 1792 311 

Details of the murder of Trueman and Hardin. 
The Secretary of War to Rufus Putnam, 
August 7, 1792 313 

Endorsement of plan to attempt a treaty at Fort 
Knox. — Disapproval of establishing a post at 
Cuyahoga. — General Chapin's letter enclosed. 



xxii CONTENTS 

General Israel Chapin to the Secretary of War, 

July 17, 1792 316 

Favorable prospect of peace with the Six Nations. 
Major Hamtramck to Rufus Putnam, August 9 

1792 320 

Arrangements for the expedition to Fort Knox. 
— Delivery of speeches. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, 

August 16, 1792 321 

Arrangements for the treaty. 
Rufus Putnam to General Wilkinson, August 17, 

1792 324 

Despatches to be forwarded. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, 

August 21, 1792 325 

Meditated attack of frontiersmen upon Indians. 
General Wilkinson to Rufus Putnam, August 28, 

1792 326 

Immediate return of escort necessary. 
Major Hamtramck to Rufus Putnam, August 31, 

1792 327 

Arrangements for ascent of the Wabash. 
General Wilkinson to Rufus Putnam, Septem- 
ber 8, 1792 328 

St. Clair's disastrous march retraced. — General 
Wayne's letter enclosed. 
General Wayne to General Wilkinson, August 5, 

1792 330 

The murder of Hardin and Trueman. — Rein- 
forcements. 
Speech of Rufus Putnam to the Eel River and 

Wea Indians, September 13, 1792 333 

The restoration of Indian prisoners. 
Address of Rufus Putnam to the People of 

Vincennes, September 16, 1792 334 

Prohibition of the sale of liquor to the Indians. 
Journal of the Peace Council at Vincennes, 
September 24-27, 1792 335 



CONTENTS xxiii 

List of Wampum Belts presented during the 

Council . 363 

Treaty between the United States and the 

Wabash and Illinois Indians, September 27, 1792 363 
Speech of Rufus Putnam to the Wabash and Illi- 
nois Indians, September 29, 1792 366 

Invitation to chiefs to go to Philadelphia. 
Speech of Rufus Putnam to the Hostile Indians, 

October 6, 1792 368 

Invitation to a peace conference at the mouth of 
the Muskingum. 
Rufus Putnam to William Wells, October 7, 1792 370 
Instructions for carrying a speech to the hostile 
Indians. 
Rufus Putnam to General Wilkinson, Novem- 
ber 28, 1792 370 

The distribution of Indian goods. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, Decem- 
ber 20, 1792 371 

Report concerning the treaty. 
Rufus Putnam to General Wayne, December 21, 

1792 375 

Speech sent to the hostile Indians, 
Rufus Putnam to General Wayne, January 21, 

1793 375 

Failure of hostile Indians to reply to speech. 
The Secretary of War to Rufus Putnam, Feb- 
ruary II, 1793 377 

Request for information concerning the fourth 
article of the treaty. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, Feb- 
ruary II, 1793 378 

Interpretation of the fourth article of the treaty. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, Feb- 
ruary 13, 1793 378 

Indian sales of land. 



xxiv CONTENTS 

RuFus Putnam to the Secretary of War, Feb- 
ruary 14, 1793 379 

Report concerning the return of Indian prisoners 
and the distribution of clothing. 

RuFus Putnam's Account with the Indian De- 
partment 382 

RuFus Putnam to the Secretary of War, Feb- 
ruary 14, 1793 384 

Resignation as brigadier-general. 

RuFus Putnam to the Secretary of War, April, 

1793 384 

The defensive works at Gallipolis. 
The Postmaster-General, Timothy Pickering, to 

RuFus Putnam, May 24, 1794 386 

.'•'' The Ohio River mail. — Designation of postmas- 
ters. 
The Postmaster-General to Rufus Putnam, June 7, 

1794 387 

Engagement of boat's crew. 
Rufus Putnam to the Postmaster-General, June 

9. 1794 388 

Desirability of a post at the mouth of the Scioto. 
The Postmaster-General to Rufus Putnam, June 

20, 1794 390 

Arrangements for the mail service. 
The Postmaster-General to Rufus Putnam, Au- 
gust 8, 1794 391 

Request for opinions concerning the mail service. 
Rufus Putnam to the Postmaster-General, August 

3°> 1794 392 

Modification of mail service. 
The Secretary of War, Timothy Pickering, to 

Rufus Putnam, January 16, 1795 395 

Request for supervision of mail service. 

Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of War, Febru- 
ary 9, 1795 397 

Acceptance of mail supervision. 



CONTENTS XXV 

RuFus Putnam to the Secretary of War, Febru- 
ary 20, 1795 398 

Details of reorganized mail service. — Plan en- 
closed. 

RuFus Putnam's Plan for the Carriage of the 
Ohio River Mail, February 17, 1795 402 

The Secretary of War to Rufus Putnam, March 

25, 1795 404 

Acknowledgment of reorganization of mail service. 
The Secretary of War to Rufus Putnam, March 

25. 1795 405 

Request for advice concerning militia. — Letter to 
Colonel Sproat enclosed. 
The Secretary of War to Colonel Sproat, March 

25, 1795 406 

Militia matters, — General Putnam to be asked 
for advice. 
Rufus Putnam to Colonel Sproat, April 15, 1795 407 

Scouts to be substituted for stationary guards. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

Oliver Wolcott, May 12, 1796 409 

Assignment of lands to the French at Gallipolis. 
The Secretary of State, Timothy Pickering, to 

Rufus Putnam, September 30, 1796 411 — 

Request for advice concerning judicial candidates. 
The Secretary of State to Rufus Putnam, October 

I, 1796 412 

Appointed surveyor-general. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of State, October 

15' 1796 • • 412 ^ 

Acceptance of appointment as surveyor-general. 
The Postmaster-General, Joseph Habersham, to 

Rufus Putnam, December 16, 1796 413 

The Ohio River mail. 
Rufus Putnam to the Postmaster-General, Janu- 
ary 25, 1797 415 

Suggestions concerning the western mail service. 



xxvi CONTENTS 

The Secretary of State to Rufus Putnam, March 

17. 1797 417 

Request for information concerning the Ohio 
River mail. 
The Secretary of State • to Rufus Putnam, 

March 17, 1797 418 

The survey of lands for the Christian Indians. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

December 2, 1797 419 

The survey of lands for Ebenezer Zane. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

January 18, 1798 420 

The provision of a clerk and stationery. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

March 9, 1798 423 

Plans for surveys for the current year. 
The Secretary of the Treasury to Rufus Putnam, 

June i, 1798 425 

The allowance of a clerk. 
The Secretary of State to Rufus Putnam, 

August 2, 1798 426 

The distribution of government pamphlets. 
The Secretary of the Treasury to Rufus Putnam, 

September 24, 1798 428 

Intrusive settlements on government land. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

October 30, 1798 429 

* Facts concerning unlawful settlements. 
Rufus Putnam to the Postmaster-General, Feb- 
ruary 26, 1800 430 

Roads in the Northwest Territory. 
The Secretary of the Treasury, Albert Gallatin, 

TO Rufus Putnam, June 26, 1802 431 

Plan for opening roads in the Northwest Ter- 
ritory. 
The Secretary of the Treasury to Rufus Putnam, 

August 9, 1802 433 

The nomination of a register. 



CONTENTS xxvii 

RuFUS Putnam to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

August i8, 1802 433 

Roads and courses for roads in the Northtvest 
Territory. 
The Secretary of the Treasury to Rufus Putnam, 

October 6, 1802 436 

The appointment of a register. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

March 28, 1802 437 

The road from Marietta to St. Clairsville. 
The Secretary of the Treasury to Rufus Putnam, 

April 16, 1803 438 

Contract for opening the St. Clairsville road. 
The Secretary of the Treasury to Rufus Putnam, 

September 21, 1803 439 

Arrangements for transfer of office to Jared 
Mansfield. 
Rufus Putnam to the Secretary of the Treasury, 

February 18, 1804 440 

The transmission of final accounts. 
The Secretary of the Treasury to Rufus Putnam, 

April 25, 1804 443 

The settlement of final accounts. 

INDEX 445 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

RuFUS Putnam Frontispiece 

Silhouette from the original in the possession of 
the late Catharinus P. Buckingham. 

Autograph and seal from a letter in the Library 
of Marietta College. 

Coat of arms from the original drawing in the 
Library of Marietta College. 

Plan of New Orleans, 1773 38 

From the original drawing by Rufus Putnam in 
the Library of Marietta College. 

Plan of Mississippi Lands, 1773 51 

From the original drawing (7I x 5I inches) by 
Rufus Putnam in the Library of Marietta College, 

Map of the Lower Mississippi, 1773 90 

From the original drawing by Rufus Putnam in 
the Library of Marietta College. 
Key to Rufus Putnam's Map of the Lower Mis- 
sissippi 92 

Position of the British at Phillips, July, 1780 . 166 
From the original drawing by Rufus Putnam in 
the Library of Marietta College. 
Plan of the Ancient Earthworks on the Site 

of Marietta, Ohio, 1788 216 

From the original drawing (i2§ x 16 inches) by 
Rufus Putnam in the Library of Marietta College. 
The Ohio Company's Fort at Marietta, 1788 . . 270 
From an old print in the Library of Marietta 
College. 
The Ohio Company's Land Office at Marietta . 320 
Purchased and restored by the National Society 
of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of 
Ohio. 



ILLUSTRATIONS xxix 

Plan of the River Wabash -r- from the Mouth to 
Post Vincent, Taken September, 1792 . . 366 

From the original drawing (14^ x 6 inches) by 
Rufus Putnam in the Library of Marietta College. 

Interior of the Ohio Company's Land Office at 
Marietta 404 



INTRODUCTION 

BY HON. GEORGE F. HOAR 

The work of most of the great men of the world 
would not have been missed, if they had not lived. 
Their places would have been filled by others. The 
currents of history would not have been changed by 
their absence. They are like ranges of mountains. 
If one peak be removed, another beyond comes into 
view, and the effect in the landscape is about the 
same. 

But there are a few men to whom it has been given 
to stand at the parting of the ways, or the parting 
of the waters, to turn the currents of human history 
and to determine the destiny of States and Nations. 
They have not done merely a work that somebody 
else would have accomplished but for them. The 
work was their own, and would not have been done 
without them. Beyond a question one of these was 
Rufus Putnam, whose simple, modest story is now 
given to the world for the first time. He died with- 
out knowing its sublimity, or foreseeing its result. 

But his title to be enrolled in that small but honor- 
able list rests upon impregnable foundations. 

April 7, 1783, Timothy Pickering writes to Hodg- 
don that ** there is a plan for the forming of a new 
State Westward of the Ohio. Some of the principal 
officers of the Army are heartily engaged in it. The 
propositions respecting it are in the hands of General 



xxxii INTRODUCTION 

Huntington and General Putnam, the total exclusion 
of slavery from the State to form an essential and 
irrevocable part of the Constitution." 

Neither Huntington nor Pickering is heard of again 
in the matter. But Rufus Putnam pressed it upon 
General Washington in repeated letters which Gen- 
eral Washington answered, affirming his own earnest 
interest in the scheme, and saying that he had urged 
it upon Congress, but had been unable to create any 
interest in the matter. Meantime there were other 
plans before Congress for settling the Ohio Territory, 
especially one of Mr. Jefferson's. But none of them 
contemplated the exclusion of slavery until after the 
year 1800. Even with that limitation, as the subse- 
quent attempts to establish slavery there showed, Jef- 
ferson's scheme would have been utterly futile to ex- 
clude it. The measure failed in Congress, and was 
dead until in the year 1787 Rufus Putnam issued from 
his house in Rutland a call for a Convention of repre- 
sentative soldiers from the different counties of Massa- 
chusetts, to meet at the Bunch of Grapes Tavern in 
Boston, to take steps for forming the Ohio Company, 
and settling the Territory by a body of veteran 
soldiers. The Company so formed elected him its 
Superintendent. 

Thereafter General Putnam sent General S. H. 
Parsons to Philadelphia to negotiate for the purchase 
of lands for the new State. General Parsons came 
back, having utterly failed to accomplish anything. 
Thereupon General Putnam sent Manasseh Cutler, 
an eminent clergyman and man of science, afterward 
member of Congress from Massachusetts. Cutler had 



INTRODUCTION xxxiii 

met Putnam in Boston, and agreed with him upon 
the conditions to be required. He returned to Massa- 
chusetts crowned with complete success. 

The proposals were so advantageous that it was 
impossible for Congress to reject them. They in- 
cluded the payment of a large sum of money into 
the empty treasury of the Confederation, full satis- 
faction of the claims of a large number of veteran 
soldiers, securing the allegiance of the Western 
Territory, a matter about which, as appears by Wash- 
ington's letters and his Farewell Address, great anxiety 
then existed, and interposing a shield of disciplined 
soldiers for the protection of western New York, 
Pennsylvania, and Virginia against the most power- 
ful and warlike Indian tribes on the continent, and 
compelling, what then seemed very doubtful, the per- 
formance by Great Britain of her treaty obligation 
to evacuate the Northwest. 

The Ordinance of 1787, which had been brought 
to life from the tomb to which it had been consigned 
in the preceding Congress, was reported by Nathan 
Dane, without any provision for excluding slavery, 
because, as he said, he did not believe that it could 
possibly be adopted. Thereupon Cutler announced 
that he should take his departure. But he was urged 
to remain, and assured that the next day Congress 
would come to his terms. The next day Dane moved 
on the floor an amendment, now in existence in his 
own handwriting, containing the provision for the 
perpetual and irrevocable exclusion of slavery. That 
was unanimously adopted, with the exception of one 
vote. 



xxxiv INTRODUCTION 

Rufus Putnam himself led the first company of set- 
tlers to Marietta, arriving there on the 7th of April, 
1788, and laid the foundation of what are now six 
mighty States. The Company of settlers voted that 
the 7th day of April in every year should be forever 
celebrated as the day when Rufus Putnam founded 
Ohio. Harris, the early historian, dedicates the col- 
lection of documents relating to the early history of 
the Territory " To Rufus Putnam, the Founder and 
Father of Ohio." 

Each of the three States, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, 
afterward struggled to get rid of the prohibition with- 
out effect. This makes it clear that, without it, the set- 
tlers, who were largely from Virginia, would have 
introduced slavery there, and that Jefferson's inhibi- 
tion to take effect after 1800 would have proved feeble 
and abortive. 

In the Ohio State Convention of 1802, when the 
first Constitution was adopted, the champions of slav- 
ery were so nearly in the ascendant that Rufus Put- 
nam, then an old man, called up Ephraim Cutler, son 
of Manasseh, from his sick-bed late at night, told him 
that there was danger that slavery would be estab- 
lished by the Convention, and with Cutler's aid suc- 
ceeded in defeating it by a single vote. But for Rufus 
Putnam, the great Northwest Territory would to-day 
be made up of slave States. The United States would 
have been a great slaveholding empire, and if the 
Civil War had taken place at all, the power of this 
mighty group of commonwealths would have turned 
the scale on the Southern side. 

The action of General Putnam was equally decisive 



INTRODUCTION xxxv 

in compelling the evacuation of Boston by the British 
troops when Washington was meditating an attack, 
under circumstances which but for Putnam's fortunate 
inspiration would have compelled him with his un- 
disciplined army, ill-supplied with ammunition, to 
make an attack on a superior force, well entrenched 
in the town, supported by a powerful fleet, or to have 
delayed the attack until the arrival of reinforcements 
to the British, which would have enabled them to put 
Washington on the defensive under circumstances 
which would have rendered victory to the patriotic 
cause almost hopeless. That story is told in the fol- 
lowing pages. But for the providential inspiration 
which enabled Rufus Putnam to fortify Dorchester 
Heights, it is likely that the British forces would have 
possessed themselves of Massachusetts, and possess- 
ing themselves of Massachusetts, could have sub- 
dued the rebellion. 

That General Putnam tells the story of his life mod- 
estly and with absolute truth, nobody who reads it 
will be likely to doubt. He makes no claim for him- 
self, except of having served his country faithfully and 
to the satisfaction and with the respect of his supe- 
riors, especially of his great leader Washington. 

He has made no special claim for himself in regard 
to either of the transactions to which we have referred. 
But he does claim that it was due to him that Wash- 
ington's army was saved in New York at the single 
most trying and dangerous period of the Revolution- 
ary War. Of the justice of that claim, military men 
and experts in military history are the best judges. 
It is believed, however, that he is entitled to wear that 
laurel also. 



xxxvi INTRODUCTION 

Other engineers might have constructed the fortifi- 
cations at West Point, which in fact were the work 
of Rufus Putnam, whom Washington declared to be 
the best engineer officer on our side, whether French 
or American. Other engineers might have selected 
West Point for the place to be fortified. But Rufus 
Putnam in fact selected West Point and constructed 
the fortifications there. That alone would have been 
enough to give him a high place in history, and a 
high place in the gratitude of his countrymen. But in 
his title to public gratitude for the unequalled service 
of saving the Northwest from slavery, and in deliver- 
ing Massachusetts from the invader, he is without a 
competitor. 



RUFUS PUTNAM'S MEMORANDUM 
BOOK OF FAMILY CONCERNS 



RUFUS PUTNAM'S 

MEMORANDUM BOOK OF 

FAMILY CONCERNS 



"John Putnam came from Buckingham Shire in 
England, Anno-1634, and Setled in Salem MalTachu- 
fetts. — he brought three Sons with him viz. Thomas, 
Nathaniel, and John : he (that is the Father) died at 
the age of about eighty years, very Suddenly, he 
eat his Supper, went to prayer in his family, and died 
before he went to Sleep " 

Edward Putnam, Grandfon of the first John gives 
the above account in a manufcript dated 1733, himfelf 
being then 79 years of age, & adds " from thofe three 
proceeded twelve males, from those 12, forty males 
and from those 40, eighty two males, there was none 
of the name of Putnam in New England but those of 
this family " with refpect to there Sittuation in Life 
he remarks " I can Say with the Pfalmist . . I have 
ben young and now am old yet I have not Seen the 
Righteous forsaken, nor there Seed beging bread, 
except to God who provid^ for all. For God hath 
given to the generation of my Fathers, Agurs portion, 
neither poverty nor riches but hath fead us with 
food convenient for us ; and their Children have ben 
able to help others in there need. — The third genera- 
tion are all gon to their Fathers but three and he that 
gives this account is one of them aged 79 years " 

In 1 74 1 at the age of 87, he gives the names of the 
following heads of Families, of the Fourth generation ^ 

1 The following genealogical lists are at variance with those in the His- 
tory of the Putnam Family by Eben Putnam, and should not be relied 
upon. 



4 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

viz " Edward, Elifha, Jofeph, Ezra, Isaac, Nathaniel, 
Daniel, Benjamin, Tarrent, Cornelius, Stephen, Israel, 
Thomas, Edward, Archelus, Joseph, Samuel John, 
Amos, Jofiah, James Jethro, Caroline John Jonathan, 
Henry, Holyoak, Jacob, William, David Ely JoHiua, 
Henry — 32 " but how many there were at that time 
of that generation he Sais he could not tell ; this 
good old man died in the year 1 747 in the 94*^^ year 
of his age — 

The Putnam Family as before Stated Settled at 
Salem Mafsachusetts in Anno 1634, and they are very 
numerous at this day in that and the neighbouring 
towns, however, they are a family by no means fo 
Governed by Local habits as Some others, they now 
Spread through all New England and many other 
parts of the United States, nor have I ever found 
one of the name, but was decended from the Salem 
Family. — 

It would be in Vain to attemp at this day to give 
an account of all the Male desendents of the family, 
however, I Shall attempt a Genealogy as far as has 
come to my knowledge. — 

And first Thomas Putnam (the eldest Son of our 
Ancester John Putnam, had 4 Sons. Thomas, Ed- 
ward, Archelus, & Jofeph — 

Edward was born July 4*^ 1654 ^^^ died at up- 
wards of 93, before mentioned, his Sons were the 4 
Generation 

viz Edward born April 29* 1682 — who lived to an 
old age 
Holyoak d^ Sep* 18^^ j^g^, killed by the In- 
dians 
* Eliftia d« Nov' 3^^ 1685 died June 10*^ 1745 

* he removed from Salen & Settled in Sutton, May 1725 Isaac also 
removed to Sutton Soon after — 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 5 

Jofeph d° [born] Nov"- i^* 1687 

Nehemiah d° Decem'-2oth 1694 — died young 

Ezra— d« April 2 9^^ 1696 d^ at about 

Ifaac — do March 14*^ 1698 died at the 

age of 59 , J ^ • 

of the 5^^ Generation Sons of Edward 2^ viz 
Edard 3^ Settled in Sutton died at a very ad- 
vanced age leaveing a numerous Issue — 
Holyoak who alfo Settled in Sutton & 
Miles who first Settled in Midleton 

5th generation Sons of Elisha, 3^ Son of Edward i^^ 
Elilha, [born] December 2^ 17 15 died m the 

army 1758 — , „ 

Nehemiah, d« March 22<i 1719. died at Sutton 

Nov"" 27* 1 79 1 — 
Jonathan, d« July 19^^ 172 1 ^\,^^^^"- 

Stephen, d- April 4^'^ 1728 d- New hamp- 

ftiair March 5^^^ 1803 
Amos, do [born] July 22^ 1730, — died aug^^ 19'*^ 

1811 
*Rufus, do April 9'^ 1738,— 

5th generation Sons of Jofeph 4*^ Son of Edward i^* 

Oliver, & Jofeph. 
5th Generation Sons of Ezra 6^^^ Son of Edward i^* 
Nehemiah, who died young. — 

t Ezra — he had three Sons who all died without Male 
ifsue — 
5th generation Sons Isaac 7^^ Son of Edward i'' 
Phinehas, Asaph, Nathan, Isaac, Edward & Daniel 
Edward died young, the others have numerous fam- 
ilies — 

* Commenced the Settlement of Marietta on the Ohio 7'" April 1788 
and arrived there with his family November 1790 
t Settled at Marietta 1790 — with two Sons 



6 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

6*^^ Generation decending from Elifh, Son of Ed- 
ward i^* 

viz Sons of Elisha 2^ 
Andrew, Elisha, * Antepafs, Jockton, Luke William — 

viz. Sons of Nehemiah — 
Aaron, Reeuben, Jofeph, Benjamin 

viz. Sons of Jonathan 
Adonijah, f Folinsbee, Jonathan, Francis, John — 

viz — Sons of Stephen 
Solomon, John, Elifha, Gideon, Lewis, David, Rufus 

viz. Son, of Amos. 
Paul, who died in Childhood 

viz Sons of Rufus 
X Ayres, William Rufus, Franklin, Edwin 

yth generation viz the Great Grandsons of Elisha 
Son of Edward i^* N B the Grand Sons of Elifha, 
Nehemiah, Jonathan and Stephen are at prefent un- 
known, it is prefumed on good grounds they are 
numerous, for in the year 1805 the Grand children of 
Stephen amounted to 52, and Andrew the eldest Son 
of Elisha has Sons at lest 40 year old, and Adonijah 
Sons nearly as old — 

yth generation Grandsons of Nehemiah, Son of 
Elisha i^* 

viz Sons of Aaron 
Calvin, Franklin, Luther, the two Last died in Child- 
hood 

viz. Sons of Reuben — 
Aaron, Jonas, Joseph Mafon, Maning, Rufus, Rufus 
Austing, John 

viz. Sons of Jofeph — 
John Town, Daniel and Benjamin 

viz Sons of Benjamin 

* died at the Havanna in 1764 — 

t Follinsbee & Jonathan both died in Childhood 

t Ayres & Franklin died in Childhood 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 7 

Simeon, Rufus, Jofeph, John 2'^Jofeph & 3^ — Jofeph 
all except Simeon & John died in Childhood and 
youth 

7^'^ generation, Grandfons of Rufus, Son of Elisha i^* 
viz Sons of W"^ Rufus 
William, who died a few days after born 
W"" Rufus born June 13^^ 18 12 

viz. Sons of Edwin 
Franklin 
Rufus — 
W"" Rice — 

7th Generation, Andrew, and Adonijah, mentioned 
in the last page have Several Sons but the number 
cannot at prefent be afsertained — 
8*^^^ Generation, it is highly probable ther are many 
of this Generation. Andrew & Adonijah have doubt- 
lefs a number of Grand Children — 
7 Generation, Grandsons of Elisha Son of Elisha i^* — 
viz Sons of Andrew — 
Andrew — Malachai — Peter — Stephen — David 

In revewing this memore, in justice to the Charac- 
ter of my Father, Elifha Putnam, I ought to mention 
that he was much refpected as a Citizen & Christian, 
was Town Clerk many years & Deacon of the 
Church, and reprefented the town of Sutton at the 
General Court — how many years I cannot say — 



Decendents of Jofeph, the youngest Son of Thomas 
& Grandson of our venerable ancestor John Putnam : 
he was half Brother to Edward the first whose de- 
cendents have ben noticed 

4^1^ Generation Sons of the above Jofeph 
William, David, Israel i^* 

gth generation Sons of David — 
William, Allen, Joseph, Israel, Jefse 



8 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

5**^ generation Sons of Israel * 2 his Sons 
6*^ Israel, Daniel, (who died young) Daniel, Chuyler 
5th generation Sons of W'" Son of David V^ 

Andrew & William 
6^^ generation Sons of Joseph Son of David i^* 

Jefse 
5th generation Sons of Israel Son of David i^* 

Allen, Daniel, Israel 
6* generation Sons of Israel f Son of Israel i^* 
Israel, Aaron Waldow, David, W'" Pitt, Georg 
Wafhington 

6**^ Generation, Sons of Daniel, Son of General 
Israel 

William 
6*^^ generation Sons of Chuyler, Son of Gen^ Israel 

John, Nathan — P Schuyler — Oliver 
7*'^ generation Sons of Israel Son of Col° Israel 
yth generation Sons of Aaron Waldow Son of Col° 
Israel 

W" Pitt — Aaron Waldo — Israel Loreing 
7^^^ generation Sons of David Son of Col° Israel 
Benj'^ Perkins — Charles M — Peter R. Douglefs 
David Murray George 

7*^ generation Sons of George W Son of Col° Israel 
N B W" Pitt Son of Col^ Israel died without ifsue 
The decendents of the branches of the Putnam 
Family, are very numerous, an account of whome 
has not ben attempted, for want of documents, and 
it is to be observed, that of the thirty two heads of 
Familes, mentioned by my Grand father in 1741 the 
decendents of only eight of them have ben notised 
and those not very partially in Several instence — 

* this is the celebrated General Putnam, born at Danvers Mafsachufetts 
17 16 Settled at pomphret Connecticutt for whose character and Military 
achievements See the history of his life — 

t Col° Putnam with all his Family removed to the ohio between 17S8 
& 1797 — Settled at Marietta & Bellprie 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 



Having given Some account of my anceflors, and 
a genealogy of the Putnam Family as far as has come 
within my knowledge, it may be proper to give Some 
account of my Self hopeing it may be of Some amufe- 
ment if not of use to my decendents — 

I am the youngest Son of Elisha Putnam, who was 
the third Son of Edward, grandson of John Putnam, 
who Settled at Salem in 1634 as before mentioned 

— My Mothers Maiden name was Susanna Fuller, 
daughter of Jonathan Fuller of Danvers — 

I was born the 9* of April 1738, at Sutton in Maf- 
sachusetts. in 1745 at the age of Seven years and 
two months, I became an orphan by the death of my 
Father, from his death to September 1747 I lived 
with my grandfather Fuller, to this time I was keept 
at School as much as Children ufually were at that 
day, and could read pritty well in the bible 

In Sep* 1747 I went to live with my Step Father, 
Capt John Sadler (at Upton) and continued with him 
untill his death (in September or October 1753)^ 

1 [Copy! By the Honourable 

Joseph Wilder Esq. 
Judge of Probate of Wills for and within the County of Worcester in the 
Province of the Massachusetts Bay — 

To Jonathan Dudley of Sutton in the County and Province aforesaid, 
Yeoman — Greeting 

Trusting to your care and fidelity, I do, by these presents, pursuant to 
the power and authority to me granted, in and by an Act of the General 
Assembly of the said Province, nominate and appoint you to be Guardian 
unto Rufus Putnam, a minor, aged 14 years, son of Elisha Putnam late of 
said Sutton, Yeoman deceased, he having made choice of you, with full 
power and authority to ask, demand, sue for, recover, receive, & take into 
your custody, all and singular such part and portion of Estate as accrues 
to him in right of his Father aforesaid, deceased — or which, by any 
other way or means whatsoever, doth of right belong or appertain to him 

— and to manage employ, and improve the same, to his best proffit and 
advantage — and to render a plain and true account of your Guardianship, 
upon oath, so far as the law will charge you therewith when you shall be 



lo MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

during the six year I lived with Cap* Sadler, I 
never Saw the infide of a School house, except about 
three weeks, he was very illiterate himfelf, and took 
no care for the education of his family ; but this was 
not all I was made a ridecule of, and otherwise abused 
for my attention to books, and attempting to write, 
and learn Arethmatic, however, amidst all those dis- 
couragements I made Some advances in writeing and 
Arethmatic, that is I could make Letters that could 
be under Hood, and had gon as far in Arethmatic as 
to work the rule of three (without any teacher but the 
book) — Oh ! my Children beware you neglect not 
the education of any under your care as I was neg- 
lected. — 

In March 1754 I was bound apprentice to Daniel 
Mathews of Brokfield, to the Millwights trade ; by 
him my education was as much neglected, as by 
Capt Sadler, except that he did not deny me the use 
of a Light for Study in the winter evenings — 

I turned my attention chiefly to Arethmatic, Geo- 
graphy, and history ; had I ben as much engaged 
in Learning to write well, with Spelling, and Gramer, 
I might have ben much better qualified to fulfill the 
duties of the Succeeding Scenes of Life, which In 
providence I have ben called to pafs through. I was 
zealous to obtain knowledge, but having no guide I 

lawfully required — and pay & deliver such and so much of said estate as 
shall be remaining upon your account (the same being first examined and 
allowed by the Judge of Probate for the time being) unto the said minor 
when he shall arrive at full age, or otherwise as said Judge, by his decree 
or sentence, pursuant to law shall limit and appoint — and also to take 
care of the person of said minor 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of said 
Court of Probate — Dated at Worcester the 12th day of April, a. d. 
1752, & in the 25th year of his Majestys Reign — 

Joseph Wilder — 
By order of the Hon. Judge J. Chandler. Regr. — 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM ii 

knew not where to begin nor what course to pur- 
sue, — hence neglecting Spelling and gramer when 
young I have Suffered much through life on that 
account 

March is*'^ 1757- The war between England and 
France which commeced in 1754 Still continuing I 
engaged in the provential Service, to Serve to the 2^ 
day of February following. I was attached to Cap* 
Eben"" Learneds Company of 100 men. — 
April 30, we marched from Brookfield and reached 
Kenderhook, about 18 mile below Albany, on the 6*^ 
of May. 

dureing our Stay at Kenderhook, Cap* Learned 
prayed with his Company Morning and evening, and 
on the Sabath read a Sermon. (Oh ! how the times 
have changed.) — 

May 18*^ the Company left Kenderhook, and ar- 
rived the Same day at Green bulh, oppofet the City 
of Albany. — 

May-2i^* our Company reached Scocook, a Dutch 
Settlement on Hoofuck river, three mile from the 
Hudfon, deferted by the inhabitents on account of 
the War. — 

June 9*^ the Company joined Col° Fry^ at Still- 
water, and on the 11*^ Marched to Saratoga (a place 
Sence famous in history for the capture of a British 
army under the Command of Gen' Burgoyn in 

1777.) — 

June 14*^^ Col° Fryes Regiment, consisting of 
Seventeen companys. Left Saratoga, and on the 15*^ 
arrived at Fort Edward 

July 8*'^ being a Volunteer in the Ranging Servis, 
I was detached on a Scout for Six days under Lt Col- 

1 Joseph Frye, Colonel of a Massachusetts Regiment of Foot. 



12 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

lings with 22 men. we marched on the rout towards 
South bay about 10 mile, and encamped — 
July 9*'' after marching about 10 mile further, he 
then Sent three of us forward to go to the bay & 
bring him an account of the distence to it, that we 
might go the Lighter we Left our Blankets and pro- 
vision with the Scout, but the distence was much 
further then was expected, and we were not able to 
return untill neer Sunsett, to the place where we left 
the party, they were gon, and carried off our Blakets 
and provilions. the officer had taken fright, and run 
away fupposing we ware killed or taken, — we at- 
tempted to track them but to no purpos, believeing 
they could not be farr off we fiered a gun but recived 
no anfwer — our Sittuation was by no means agrea- 
ble, having nothing to cover us from the Natts & 
Musketoes (with which that country abounds beyond 
description) but a Shirt and Breech Clout. 
July 10^^ we fiered guns but to no purpos, and Spent 
the fore-noon in Search of there trale but in vain, 
July 11*^ we returnend to Fort Edward having ben 
Forty eight hours without any thing to eate, and 
Spent two nights in company with the Natts and 
Musketoes. 

July 12*^ Collins came in with the rest of the party 
they confefsed they heard our evening gun, but Sup- 
posed the Indians had gotten us and were after them, 
in confequence of which they took there way to Fort 
William Henry, and there reported that we were 
either killed or taken. M'' Collins character undoubt- 
edly Suffered, but he eaiily pafsafied us and we did 
not complain — however when an officer is brought 
to Solicit his Soldiers not to complain of him, he must 
feal Small in his own eyes, as well as Contemptable 
in the eyes of others, it was undoubtedly extreamly 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 13 

unfoldier like to leave us in the woods in the maner 
he did — if our Long absence gave caufe of alarm, 
he ought to have with drawn but a Small distence, 
and placed himsef in ambush and to have posted two 
men under cover to watch our return, or the approach 
of the enemy had any appeared. — 

July 23^ about 8 oclock in the morning a large 
party of Indians fired on the guard of the Carpenters, 
within half a mile of the Fort we had 13 killed and 
one mifsing — 

This was the first Sight I had of the Indians Butcher- 
ing, and it was not very agreable to the fealings of a 
young Soldier, and I think there are few if any who 
can view Such Scenes with indifference 

the Enemy Left none of there dead or wounded 
behind — in the afternoon about 250 men under the 
command of Cap* Israel Putnam ^ marched in pursute. 
we marched on the Indian trale untill Sun Set Cap* 
Putnam then ordered three of us to follow the trale a 
mile or more further, and there lie close untill quite 
dark, to observe if any came back, for Said he "if 
they do not embark in there boats to night they will 
Send a party back to See if they are purfued" we 
went acording to ordor but made no discovery, and 
here I would remark that Cap* Putnams precaution 
Struck my mind very forceally, as a maxim allways 
to be observed whether you are purfuing or are pur- 
fued by an enemy : efpecially in the woods, it was 
the first Idea of Generalship, I recollect to have trea- 
fured up. 

August 3^, this morning a french army. Said to be 
about 15000, besides a large body of Indians from 
Cannada, Lade Seage to Fort William Henry, the 

1 Major-General Israel Putnam, of Revolutionary fame. His father 
and Rufus Putnam's grandfather were half-brothers. 



14 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

Seage continued untill the 9*^ when the Garifon ca- 
pitulated. 

Fort William Henry Stood on the margen of Lake 
George neer the Southwest corner 13^ miles from 
Fort Edward and about 70 mile from Abany. it was 
a reguler Square with four Baftions, the walls con- 
sisted of timber and earth, with ditch &c capable for 
a time of resisting a cannonade & bombardment, the 
Garison confisted of between three and four hundred, 
British regulers, abut half a mile east of the Fort, Sep- 
perated from it by a Swamp and Creek, was about 
1500 proventials encamped within a low brest work of 
Logs, on thefe the French made no Serious attack, 
and they might at any time have forced there way 
throug the enemy, posted in that quarter, but the 
next morning, viz the 10*^ of August, as the proven- 
tials were paraded to march to Fort Edward agre- 
ably to cappitulation, the Indians fell on them, and 
amost horrid butchery enfued, those who efcaped with 
there Lives were Striped almost naked, many in 
makeing there efcape were lost in the woods where 
they wondered Several days without food, one man 
in perticuler was out ten days, and there is reafon to 
believe Some perrished, in perticuler the wounded, 
but the number murdered & mifsing was never known 

to me 

General Webb Lay all the time of the Seage at Fort 
Edward with not Lefs then four thousand men, acord- 
ing to my Judgment, and for a confiderable part of 
the time with a Larger number by the coming up of 
the Militia of New York. General Webb was informed 
every day of the Seage, by an exprefs, from Col'^ 
Munroe, of the afairs at the Lake, he knew the 
French had attempted northing on the provential 
Camp, it was the opinion of many oficers that he 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 15 

might have releaved the Fort, and that he was 
much to blame for not attempting it, the general 
idea among us Soldiers was that he was a coward, 
nor did he exprefs more humanity then courage, for 
he took no care to bury the men butchered in 
the maner above mentioned, or to Seek after the 
wounded fhould there be any Lying among the dead, 
— I was on the ground a fhort time after, and Saw 
the dead bodies Lying as neglected as if they had 
ben wild bests. = 

The proventials lost all confidence in General 
Webb, and many of them deserted. I was at one 
time on the point of deferting but was proidentially 
prevented. — 

October 8*^ the provential Rangeing companys 
were discharged, and I did Camp duty untill the 
21^* when I joined a Company of Carpenters untill 
the 10^^ of November when the Fort being finished 
the Carpenters ware all dischaed from the public 
works — 

Fort Edward Stood on the Easterly bank of the 
Hudson or North River about 66 mile above Al- 
bany, the river washed one Side of its wall, its form 
was Somewhat ireguler : having two Bastions and 
two half Baflions the walls were high & thick com- 
posed of hewed timber & earth a broad rampert, 
with Casement or Bomp proff, a deep ditch with a 
draw bridg, a covered Way, Glafsee &c. 

I have ben perticuler in this defcription, because in 
1777, there was by no means fo great an apperence 
of there having ben a Fortification there as we find 
in the antient works at Marietta & other parts of the 
Ohio Country — 

November 10*'^ the remnent of Col° Frys Regiment 
(himfelf & most of his regiment having be made 



i6 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

prifoners at Fort William Henry) marched down 
to the half moon, 12 mile above Albany. 
November 18*^ 360 of us were drafted into four 
Companys and ordored to different posts for winter 
quarters, this was a greate & unexpected disappoint- 
ment ; for althoe our inlistments run to the 2^^ of 
February we expected to be discharge on the clofe of 
the Campaign. — Capt Learneds Company was or- 
dored up to Still water. But I with Several others 
engaged in the Kings works at Halfmoon, and I did 
not join my Company untill the 29^*^ of December — 

January i** 1758. we keept the day with joy and 
wilhed for Chandlemafs, being jealous there was a 
defign to hold us in the Servis longer then our en- 
gagement ; and being ditermined to git away if pof- 
sible. and knowing that if we attempted it by the 
common road through Albany we Should probably 
be floped by the Reguler troops in that quarter — . 
our plan was to march by the way of Hoofuck ; and 
the Snow being now deep and daly increasing, the 
month of January was imployed in prepareing Snow 
Shoes for the jooney. We Lay in Hutts a Small 
distence from a Stockade Fort garifoned by one Com- 
pany of Regulers Commanded by Capt Skean (after- 
wards Major Skean proprietor of Skeansbourgh 
South Bay) 

Capt Learned who had ben home on Furloe joined 
his Company on the 5*^ of January, approved of our 
plan of going off on the 3^ of February, and pledge 
himfelf to head us in the retreat unlefs he could ob- 
tain our discharge I then thought much of him but 
I have Sence Learned to dispise him, for an ofBcer to 
Defert is unpardonable. 

February 2^ we were all ordored into the Fort and 
Captain Skean read to us part of a letter he had re- 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 17 

ceved from General Abecromby the purport of which 
was " you are hereby required to perfuade the Mafsa- 
chusetts men under your command to tarry a few 
days longer untill I Shall hear from there Gover- 
ment, and know what there Goverment intend to do 
with them " to this it was anfwered he is a good 
Soldier that Serves his time out, and that the pro- 
vence had northing to do with us, nither would we 
tarry any Longer, we were then threatened with death 
if we went of! without a reguler discharge ; and then 
ordered to our Hutts. — 

If Capt Skean had ben in earnest withe refpect to 
detaining of us, it is hard to account for his takeing 
no forceable meafures when we were paraded in the 
Fort, nor was there any Search made for our Snow 
Shoes, it is true our Hutts were under a high bank 
out of Sight of the Fort, and we keept our Snow 
Shoes concealed under the Snow, and pofsibly he 
knew northing of them, and concluded our rout 
would be down by Albany. 

February 3^ about three "Clock in the morning we 
marched ofE as Silently as polsibel, under the con- 
duct of Cap* Learned and L* Walker, being 70 in 
number, leaving a L*^ Brown who did not chues to be 
of our party, and a few invaleds behind. — 

we had an intervel & the Hudfon for about half a 
mile to crofs, exposed to the cannon of the Fort had 
they discovered our retreat and ben disposed to fire 
on us. this made it necefsary to retreat in the night, 
as to any troubl from the Garison in any other refpect 
there was no danger beause there Number was not 
equel to ours 

We had no provisions but what we had pinched 
out of our daly alwence, which was very Short, — we 
might, prehaps, on an average have between two & 



i8 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

three days alowence. it was called 30 mile to Hoofuck 
Fort, a Stockade Fort on Hoofuck river, belonging 
to Mafsachufefs. our calculation was to reach this 
place in two days — 

on the first days march we meet with northing 
extreordinary except that the Snow was deeper then 
expected, the foremost man Sunk half leg deep in 
the Snow, & the tenth man had a good path — 

February ^^^ 2^ days March, this was a very 
Snowey, Stormy day, and in pafsing Some deferted 
Settlement we left the river Some confiderable dis- 
tence on the right, after pafsing thofe Settlements we 
bore away for the Hoofuck river, but unfortunately 
mifstook a Western branch of it for the main river, 
the river was the only guide we depended on to find 
Fort Hoosuck, and not Suspecting we had mifsed 
our way we pushed forward in hopes of arriving at 
the Fort that night, but were disappointed. Capt 
Learned killed two turkes in the course of the day — 

February 5*^^ 3^^ ays march. Started very early 
confident of being at the Fort before noon, however 
noon and night came, but no Fort (killed one Turky. 
pitched camp with heavy harts jealous we had mifsed 
our way, provilions neerly exhausted, wether exceed- 
ing cold and Stormy. Several men fooze there feet, 
one man fell in the river, and lost one of his Snow 
Shoes, by which he fuffered much 

February 6*^^ 4^^^ days march, continuing up this 
Stream untill noon, came to a confiderable Fork 
which left little doubt that we had mifsed our way, 
however, for further Satisfaction we went up one of 
the branches Some distence untill it became So Small 
as to remove all doubt, and then returned back to 
the Fork mentioned above. Cap* Learned then ad- 
drefsed the Company in Substence as follows " It 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 19 

" evidently appears that we are on a wrong Stream 
" and we must be at Lest 30 mile North of Hoofuck 
" Fort, but don* be discourged, for my life on it if the 
** men hold out to travel four or five days if I don* 
'* bring you to See the inhabitents of New England, 
** however if any man has a mind to turn back to 
" Stillwater he may go in welcom ; for my part I will 
" Sooner die in the woods " we all agreed to follow 
him ; and Leaveing this river (on which is now the 
Town of Benington in the State of Vermont) we 
Steared a Southeast course Climing Several Steep 
hills ; and about Sun Sett arrived on the top of a 
mountain which appeared to be the Highth of Land, 
the wether extremely cold, and the Snow five feet 
deep — 

February y^^ — 5*^ days march — 

Thirty of us made a breakfast this morning on a 
Little poor Turky — without Salt or bread. — Travel- 
ing Southeast, in about 5 mile, we fell on a very Small 
Stream ifsuing from the Mounf^ and runing South- 
east, following down this Streme which being joined 
by Several others, by night increased to a conlidera- 
ble river, we had northing to eat Sence morning, 
but Beech buds and a few high Cramberries, night 
found us verry faint, and feteagued, after all our 
courage held out, and our hopes brightened from the 
courfe, and increse of the Stream we had fallen 
on 

February 8*'' the 6*^^ days March 

The river winds through a broken hilly country 
and the general course not favourable according to 
our opinion, the wether very could, and Stormy the 
traveling in general very bad all day, the men So 
feable, or Lame with Frozen feet, that but few of them 
were able to break track. So that we began to be 



20 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

fearfull that we Should not reach any Settlement for 
Some days, and had we not had Some releaf by 
traveling apart of the way on the river it is highly 
probable Some of them wuld have perished — we 
had one, and but one. Dog along with us ; he was 
large and very fat, and this evening he fell a Sacre- 
fise to our necefsities. our custom on this march was 
to encamp ten men at a fire ; the Dog was cearfully 
Butchered and divided into Seven parts, except the 
Guts which the Butcher had for his fees, thefe he 
brought to our Fire, and ten of us made a very good 
Supper of there fat with out bread or Salt. 

February g^^ the 7*^ days march 

In the morning ten of us breakfasted on one of the 
Dogs hind feet and Leg cut of at the gambrell. 
which being roasted in the ashes, and pounded fo as 
to Seperate the bones of the foot &c. was very pal- 
litable — we had very good traveling to day chiefly 
on the river the Snow not deep, and about noon we 
Saw where Some trees had ben cut for Shingles, the 
Sight of which revived our drooping Spirits, as we 
judged from this circumflance, Som Settlement could 
not be very far distent — about Sunfetting we came 
to the mouth of a Small Stream on our Left, which 
one of the Corporals Said he knew to be Pellham 
brook, and that we were not more then three mile 
from Hawks Fort, on Deerefield River, which emties 
into Connectiutt river at Deerfield — 

on this information the Cap* cunducted with great 
prudence, for not more then a dozen or fifteen of us 
were yet come up, and althoe we might have gon in 
with Safety yet it must probably have ben the Lofs 
of Some that were fallen in the rere on account of 
there feablenefs, and Frosted feet. The Captain there- 
fore ordored the Corporal & two others to go on to 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 21 

the Fort, and make provison for our arrivel in the 
morning ; and the rest to build fiers for the night, 
fortunately all the men came up by daylight — 

this night the ten men at our fire made a kittle of 
Soup for Supper of the thigh bone of the Dog and 
portion of a back bone of Pork, Seasoned with ginger 
which relished exceeding well — 

With refpect to the meate of a Dog I have ever 
Sence I had the experience, believed it to be very 
good eating, and that I could at any time eat it with- 
out disgust — 

February 10*^ the 8*^ days march 

Some people from the Fort meet us on our march 
with bread and meet Slised up and gave to each man 
a peace of each, this was well timed not only as a 
frindly act in giving us as early releaf as pofsible, 
but Served to check that rage of appetite by which 
many have injured themfelves by a full meal after 
long Starvation we arrived at Hawks Fort about ten 
oClock, where we were kindly entertained — 

as before observed many of the men were badly 
Frosted in the feet, early on the march, and Some 
before we Set out, one in perticuler, Ichabod Dexter, 
who was one of my Mefsmats, and whofe Pack I 
brought with my own through the whole march ; and 
yet I was among the foremost in the march, and al- 
thoe hungery yet never failed in vigor and activity, 
and this I have always thought was oweing in a mea- 
fure to the following circumllance, we had in my 
Mefs perhaps a pound of honney in a Wooden bottle 
and after our provisions failed we diped the end of a 
rod (not into a honney comb like Jonathan) but into 
the honey bottle and put it to our mouth — 

February 15*^ I arrived at my old Masters at 
Brookfield — 



22 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

I had enjoyed my health in a remarcable maner 
and in Some inllences ben wonderfully preferved, but 
I do not recollect that I made any acknowledgment 
to my benefactor & preferver — 

Cap* Learned was much (and I concive justly 
blamed) for bringing off his Company in the maner 
he did, nor was he ever able afterward to obtain a 
Commifsion during that war. — 

In the revolutionary war he entered as a Colonel, 
in 1776 religned, in 1777 was made a Brigadier & 
refigned Soon after the capture of Burgoyn. I never 
doubted his courage but otherwise he never displayed 
the Soldier or General 

1 758 April 10* Notwithflanding my late Sufferings 
in my return home, I engaged for another Campaign 
in the provential Servis, in Cap* Jofeph Whitcombs 
Company, and Col° Ruggels ^ Regiment. — 

the regiment randevozed at Northhampton, our 
Company arrived there the 27*^^ of May — 

June 3"^ the Regiment marched for Albany 

June 6^^ pafsed Pantoofuck Fort, on Houfatonnic 
river (a Small Stockade with a few provential Sol- 
diers) 

June 8*^ arrived at Greenbufh, oppofit to Albany. 
From Northhamton Street to this place was through 
a wildernefs but one houfe in whole disence, except 
the little fort above mentioned. 

June 12*'' I was with the other Carpenters of Col" 
Ruggels Regiment (about 80 in number) detached 
and Sent forward under the Command of L* Pool, 
we arrived at Lake George the 22*^ and were im- 
ployed in various works there untill the army were 
ready to embark — 

July 5*^" the Army embarked this morning, in 

1 Timothy Ruggles. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 23 

Bateaux, confisting of about 17000 men, under the 
command of General Abbecromby, Commander in 
cheif, Lord How the Second in comande, Gen^ Gage 
the Third, and Col° Bradflree Q'Master general — 

General Abbecromby was an old man and fre- 
quently called, Granne — 

Lord How was the Idol of the Army, in him they 
placed the utmost confidence, from the few days I 
had to obferve his maner of conducting, it is not ex- 
travagent to Supose that every Soldier in the army 
had a prefonal attachment to him. he frequently 
came among the Carpenters, and his maner was So 
eafy and fermiller, that you loost all that conllraint 
or diffidence we feele when adrefsed by our Superi- 
ours, whose maners are forbiding. 

General Gage was a man who never acquired a 
high reputation, and the furious Bradflreet was hated 
by all the Army 

The Army moved down the Lake untill evening 
when the boats put a fhore at Sabeth day point, and 
after refrefhing, put off & rowed all night. 

July 6* the army Landed at the Lower end of Lake 
George, on both Sides of the out let, on our aproach, 
a detachment of Frence posted on the right or east 
of the out let retiered without making any oppofi- 
tion — however as Soon as apart of the army began 
to advance into the woods on the west Side of the 
outlet, they were met by a perty of the enemy, and 
a Scirmish ensued in which Lord How was killed, 
his death llruck a great damp on the army, for my 
own part I was So pannic llruck that I was willing to 
remain with the boat guard, which in the Morning I 
Should have ben very unwilling to have ben detailed 
for. however I Soon recovered, at lest in a meafure, 
fo that I volunteared my Self to join the regiment 



24 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

July 8*^ I found the regiment posted on the west 
of the Mills, with Col° Lymans of Connecticutt, im- 
ployed in erecting a Brestwork. — 

The action at the French brestwork began about 
twelve o Clock, and there was a conflant peele of 
Cannon and Musquetry for Several hours 

Late in the after [noon] there was a party called 
for to carry ammunition forward to the army, then in 
action, and feeling a little concerned lest my character 
might Suffer for having willingly remained with the 
bot guard, I volunteered my Self on this Service (I 
have heard that Some men Should Say they Loved to 
fight as well as to eat, I never had any Such feelings, 
So far as I am able to judge of my Self it was pride 
and a wish to excell, or at lest to come behind none 
which influenced me at that period of life, to be among 
the foremost on all ocations that offered) when we 
came to the Army we found they had ben repulced 
at the brest work in an attempt to Storm the eni- 
mies Lines, but I had not the lest Idea of a total 
defeate — 

our regiment remained in there brest work until! 
about midnight and then marched back to the Shore 
of Lake George where we landed on the morning of 
the 6th 

July 9*^ as Soon as Light appeared we discovered 
that our regiment was the reer of the army who had 
all retreated in the night, except the Rangers and 
one Regiment of proventials, left neer the French 
lines. 

about 9 oClock the army were all embarked, and 
returned back to the South end of Lake George, and 
thus ended Abbecrombys expidition with disgrace, 
and the Lofs of 1500 men killed, and wounded — 

at that time I was uninformed of the Situation of 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 25 

the works or of the mode of attack, and had I ben 
informed of all this, considering my youth, and in- 
experence it would have ben arrogance to have given 
an opinion, however afterwards viewing the works 
and being informed of the mode of attact, I have 
judged it the most injuditious and wanton Sacrefise 
of men that ever came within my knowledge, or 
reeding — 

Northing more of confequence was attempted in 
this quarter this Season, except the army commenced 
building a Fort at this place on the ground occupied 
by the proventials in 1757 during the Seage of Fort 
William Henry, which they called Fort George — 

July 22^ Col° Ruggles with his regiment marched 
to Fort Edward, and were imployed in repairing the 
roads from thence to Albany untill the 29* of October 
when they were discharged. 

November g^^ arrived at Sutton, my native Town, 
where I made it my home for Some time Thus was 
I carried through a Second Campaign enjoying 
uninterrupted health, the Frindfhip of my officers, 
and never charged with any crime. But alafs in my 
journal I cannot find any acknowledgment to my 
Divine benefactor & preferver. nor do I recollect that 
I had any Serious reflection on the fubject. 

April 2^ 1759^ I this day egaged in the proven- 

1 [Copy] 

Sutton, April 2, 1759 
Received of Mr. Moses Leland, Fourteen Pounds, thirteen shillings, 
Lawful Money, for which I have enlisted in the Province service, in the 
intended expedition, in behalf of said Leland — And I promise to appear 
on monday the 9th day of April current, before Col? Chandler, at Major 
Dan .'. Howards at Worcester, to pass muster for said Leland, in Capt. John 
Sibley's Company — or I promise to pay said Leland back said money, at 
his demand, together with his damage he may sustain on my neglect. 
Witness RuFus Putnam 

John Sibley — 



26 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

tial Service for the third campaign. I was finally- 
attached to Cap* William Pages Company of Hard- 
wick, and in the first Battallion of Rugels Regiment 
commanded by L* Col° Jofeph Ingersol. — 

I did orderly Sarjents duty untill the 26*^' of July 
I find northing in my journal worth notising untill — 
July 21^*^ this morning the army embarked from 
the South end of Lake George and moved down the 
Lake, General Amherst Commander in Cheif, in 
whose ordors for embarking appeared So much ten- 
dernefs, and humanity as must win the hart of every 
Soldier, who had any generous fealings. 

July 22^^ the Army Landed this morning at the 
outlet of the Lake without oppofition — 

July 23 the army took pofsefsion of the brestwork 
where they were defeated last year, with very little 
oppofition. and now from viewing with my own eyes, 
I was convinced of the impropper mode of attact 
made on it the Last year, and that thofe men who 
were Sacrefised fell through the want of judgment in 
the General, or the rafhnefs of Col° Bradllreat. 

July 24 Commenced opening our trenches against 
the Fort, Ticonderoage — 26* the platforms were 
Lade in the evening, & our Batteries were to open 
the next morning, the enemy had keept up a heavy 
cannonade Sence the 23*^ — on the morning of the 
21^^ at about three oClock, having very Silently em- 
barked in boates they Blew up the Fort and pushed 
down the Lake to Crown point, where they did not 
wait our coming, but went almost imediately down 
Lake Champlain : — there conduct was accounted 
for on the Supposition of there having heard that 
General Wolf was approaching Quebeck, and there- 
fore they could not hope for any releaf — 

July 26 Capt Aaron Willard, a man who knew 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 27 

northing of the bufinefs, undertook to build a Saw- 
mill on the lower falls of the outlet of Lake George 
where it falls into an arm, or bay about two mile 
from the begining of the outlet. — 

I was at first invited to undertake as Master work- 
man under Willard, but I wholly declined. I wanted 
to go forward with the army, indeed no arguments 
prevailed with me untill the Brigadier Sent an officer 
to tell me if I wuld not undertake, or go to work I 
Should go to the guard house, the Brigadier knew me 
very well, and I had known him for many years, and I 
k [n] ew it was in vain to contend, nor did I Like to 
offend an officer whome I So highly refpected, and 
therefore Submitted, hoever I always elleamed it an 
arbitary act, and by nomeans justifiable to compell 
a Soldier who is a mechanic to work at his trade 
against his will. — 

When the Mills were compleated and going well 
(with two Saws) I was in hopes of being permitted 
to joine my regiment, and with that view I obtained 
a pafs to go to Crownpoint where the regiment lay 
(with the Army), while I was there I went to See 
one of the block houles that was building, I obferved 
the Carpenter was ignorent of the right methord of 
Dovetaleing the Corners. I offered to Showe him 
and while I was inflructing the man, it So happened 
that Major Skean (overfeer of the works) came up, 
and obferving what I was about, asked me who I was, 
and upon my informing him, he proposed engageing 
me in the works carrying on at Crown point, and he 
obtained permifsion from General Amharst for that 
purpus. I was much pleased with my change of 
Situation, if the army moved forward against cannada 
I Should doubtlefs go with my regiment, but this was 
not all, Major Skean had taken Such perfonal notice 



28 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

of me, and given Such afsurences of my being- re- 
warded according to my merit as a Carpenter that I 
felt confident of reciving wages according to the Ser- 
vice I Should render — how much then was I dis- 
apointed, when in a few days the Engineer at Ticon- 
daroga came up and made Such reprefentations to 
General Amherst, that I was ordored back to the 
Mills this was much against my fealings, as well as 
intrest. Major Skean told the engineer he ought to 
alow me a dollar per day, that he Should alow me 
that if I remained with him — while Cap* Willard 
remained the overfeer, (from former experence) I 
had very little reason to expect any more then the 
common hands, but Willard was now gon and no 
commifioned officer having any concern with the 
Mills, and after what had taken place at Crowpoint, 
above mentioned I had good reafon to expect an 
extra alowence — 

the proventials this year were discharged Some 
weeks before the term of there inlistments expired, 
at this time Col° Robertson, the Quarter Master 
General came to the Mills with the Engenear, and I 
engaged with him to tarry an indefinate time, at one 
dollar per day and he directed the Enginear to pay 
me accordingly : but I was not fo prudent as the 
Indian, Captain Jacobs, in another cafe, to request 
the General to put his promis on paper : wherefore 
when I applied to the Engineer the last of November 
for a fettlement he alowed me but for three days at a 
Doller per day, aledging that I had Served, but three 
days over my inlistment, althoe my regiment had ben 
discharged Some weeks before — 

thus was I cheated, not only, out of an extra alow- 
ence which I had good reafon to expect after return- 
ing back from Crown point, but of the contract made 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 29 

by Col"^ Robbinson & which the Engineer was 
directed to discharge. I began to work the 26*^ of 
July I had laboured hard, I had built excellant Mills, 
my merit as a workman was confefsed by all who 
Saw them, and the necessity of my remaining there 
to overfee the Sawyears, and keep the mills in ordor 
was proved by my being brought back from Crown- 
point, but the Engineer turned me off with the 
Common alowence viz. fifteen pence per day, New- 
york currency. — 

December is* I embarked with Col° Miller, Cap* 
Fute, and others, being eleven in Number, in two 
Batteaux in ordor to crofs Lake George. — Col** 
Miller had two Horfes and a Curricle, and for the 
greater Safety we Lalhed the Boats togather 

the wether being pleasent, and having the prospect 
of a quick pafsage we took but little provision with 
us, expecting to reach Fort George early next day, 
having a Small Breaze of wind in our favor, but in 
the evening the wind died away and we came too 
under a Small Island lying neer the main Land, about 
four mile North of Sabath day point, in the night the 
wind came ahead blow'^ hard, and the wether grow'^ 
very cold — 

December 2'^. in the morning with Some difficulty 
we brought the boats to the main Land and took the 
Horfs on Shore, the wind blowing a Gale all day, 
the waves runing mountains high, there was no pof- 
sibility of moveing any way, and it was never colder 
Sence my remembrence. — 

December 3^^ provifions all gon, the wind fom what 
abated but Still So high as to rendered it impofsible 
to turn the point, the cold continuing and hunger 
increasing, our Sittuation began to grow Somwhat 
diftrefsing, but providence provided for us. in ram- 



30 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

bling over the point, one of the party accidentelly came 
upon an old black provision bag, in which we found 
about a dozen pound of excellent Salt pork, this with 
Some damaged flour, brought by Col° Miler to feed 
his horfes, made into dumplins and boiled with the 
pork Served us very well for that day — 

December 4^^ this morning was cold but very calm, 
and the Surface of the Lake Smoath. but we had 
Some difficulties yet to incounter one of the Battoes 
belonged to Some Dutch Sutlers, which proved very 
Leaky, there was at lest Six inches of Soiled ice in 
the bottom, which in our Sittuation it was impofsible 
to remove. It was therefore concluded to take both 
Col" Millers horfes with his Curricle on board his own 
boat : and for two men with the three Dutchmen to 
take on there own boat, but we had not proceeded 
many miles in this way before the Dutch boat fell 
aflern and put afhore and the two men left her, chufe- 
ing rather to take the woods then row the Lazy 
Dutchmen. 

The Dutchmen then called on us for help, and we 
Lay toe untill they came up, and Col° Millers human- 
ity was Such that he took them on board his boat with 
there Chests and bagage. — hunger and cold, now 
was not our greatest concern : we were Loaded down 
within two, or three inches of the top of the Sides of 
the boat, we were just opening the Northwest bay, we 
had yet twenty mile to Fort George, and a very little 
wind, only to have given a Small aggitation to the 
water, we must in all probability have perished, but 
providence So ordored it that it was a perfect calm the 
whole day, and we arrived at Fort George a little after 
Sun Set without any accident — 

I arrived home to Brookfield the 16*^ of December 
having enjoyed a good State of health the whole Cam- 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 31 

paign — for which I find no acknowledgment in my 
journal. Oh Shame 

after my return home as above, I made up my mind 
not to engage any more in the Military Service. I had 
Several times ben disappointed of the rewards pro- 
mised for extra Service ; I got northing for the range- 
ing Service in 1757 nor for my Servis among the Car- 
pinters in Several inftences. I was much disgusted 
at being compeled to leve my regiment, and go to 
work at the Mills at the moment when I was ambi- 
tious of, and Supposed I had a fair prospect of dif- 
tingeshing my Self as a Soldier, its true the army did 
not proceed that year any further then Crwnpont, and 
no general action took place in that quarter yet there 
was another point of view in which the forceing of me 
from my regiment gave me much uneasinefs. I was 
not only pleased with the duty of orderly Serjeant, as 
confidered in it Self, but as it is his duty, every day 
to bring his men for guard onto parade, and attend- 
ing there untill the Guard is formed, and infpected 
(by the officer of the day,) it is a good School for 
improvment ; and besides, by the Clean and Soldierly 
apperence of the men ; in there cloathes, and Arms 
&c will never fail to recommend the Serj leant to the 
notice of his Superiour officers — 

befides I had rendered that Service to the gover- 
ment which had I not ben a Soldier the Quatermaster 
Gen^ had acknowledged was worth a Doller per day, 
only for attending to the Sawyers, and I was Turned 
off with only Seventeen Cents, on the whole I came 
to a ditermnation never to engage again as a Solder, 
nor did I fiippose there was any prospect of being 
invited to engage in a higher capafity. 

under thefe circumftances, and it not being a Season 
for the Millwrits bulinefs, I took boarding in the Town 



32 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

of New Brantree and went to work on Some land 
which I had purchased in that town where I Spent 
the winter — 

March 1760. ordors were issued by goverment for 
raifmg prvential troops for another Campaign, and as 
before observed I was now reliding in New-Brantree, 
and therefore attended the first training called for 
raising recruits, and enroled my Self in the Militia 
Company of that Town. Capt Page of Hardweek 
at whose request the Company had ben called to- 
gather. Soon appeared, and presented me with recrut- 
ing ordors, Sent by Brigadier Ruggles, and proposed 
I Should join him in raifing a Company, as an ap- 
pointment in the army had ben unfolicited by me, the 
ordors were wholly unexpected I at first declined 
accepting them, for which I had Several reafons. the 
disgust I felt for my treatment the last Campaign had 
not wholly worn off, I had formed my Plan to remain 
at home, and befides I found there had ben applica- 
tion made in behalf of Some older Settlers in town 
then I was whome the Brigadier refused, and Some 
of thefe appeared very angry, and complained that 
the Town was infulted by my appointment, therefore 
I had very Little reafon to expect much fuccefs in 
recruiting among them, however after Cap* Page 
had Beat round Several times without any fuccefs on 
the Sollicitation of a number of old Soldiers of my 
acquaintence I took the ordors, and eight or nine in- 
listed immediately. Thus I was once more fetting out 
for the army. I was much more fuccefsfull in recruit- 
ing then I expected, but I was guilty of a great mistake, 
for I Sufered my men to be Mustered for Capt Pages 
Company, and as he had recrited but few men him Self 
we fell Short of the quoto we expected, and thus by 
my own folly in mustering my men for his Company 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 33 

I lost them, much to there diappointment and my 
own. Cap* Page of all his Fathers Children Loved 
himfelf the best, he returned all the men for him Self, 
and I was left to go a beging. I now hartily repented 
of undertaking to recuit, and I cannot tell whether I 
was more angry or mortified. Brigadier Ruggls was 
at Boston, Col° Willard ^ was placed at Worcester to 
arrange the officers to the Several Companys. he was 
a total Stranger to me and I had no frind to intro- 
duce me, and I was too Willfull or too bafhfull to in- 
troduce my Self, all the confolation I had (if that was 
any) was the company of a number of others in Like 
circumftances. however after remaining in a State of 
Suspence about three weeks, Col° Willard prefented 
me with an Enfigns Commifsion in his own Regi- 
ment. I had expected a Lieutency I had recrited 
men enough to warrent it had I not ben duped by 
Captain Page, in agreeing to muster my men for his 
Company, but it was too Late now to refuse an 
Ensign, and I was really obliged to Col^ Willard for 
the appointment 

From the circumftances I have related let all but 
efpecially those unexprienced youth Such as I was, be 
cautioned how far they trust the frindship of those 
whose intrest it may be to dupe them. — 

Cap* Thomas Beman, to whose Company I was 
now appointed, had marched Some days before my 
appointment, and I was ordored to continue on the 
recruiting Service — but I had very little Succef as 
might well be expected ater what had before taken 
place refpecting the men I had inlisted 

June 2^ I Set out for the army having inlisted but 
three men, one of which I was permited to take for 
a waiter, & the other were turned over to a different 
regiment — 

1 Abijah Willard. 



34 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

June 1 8* I joined my Company at Ticondarog-e. 
here I found four companies Stationed, for this place 
the Sawmill, and the Landing at the outlet of Lake 
georg. — 

June 22^^ Captain Bemans Company Marched to 
the Landing above mentioned where we were Sta- 
tioned untill the end of the Campaign, and thus were 
deprived of the honour, and of Shearing the feteague 
of twelve days Seage at the Isle de nanx,^ — which 
opened the way for the junction of the three British 
armies before Montreal which Surrendered the 8*^ of 
September without oppofiton, and thus was the con- 
quest of Cannada Compleated Soon after our Com- 
pany was Stationed at the Landing, I was invited 
by the Enginea at Ticonderoge (not the one who 
abufed me the Last year as before related) to take 
the ovesight of the Mills, and alfo the erection of 
a Blockhouse where our company was Stationed. 
I agreed with him for at a Stipulated price per day 
which was honorably paid at the close of the Cam- 
paign — 

November 19*'^ the Company marched to Ticon- 
deroge and were discharged. — 

November 20 crofsed the Lake and began our 
march through the Wildernefs for N° 4,^ on Connecti- 
cutt River, at about 40 mile crofsed Otter Creek — 

November 25* arrived at N° 4 being 80 mile as 
computed from Ticonderoge — 

December i^* arrived home to New Brantree, hav- 
ing injoyed a good State of health during my abfence. 
— my oficers efpecially the Captain and First Lieu- 
tenent, were very agreable companions and we lived 
in the greatest harmony. 

Before I left Camp Major Skean very wormly Soli- 

1 Isle-aux-Noix. ^ Fort Number Four. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 35 

cited me to engage in his Service in erecting mills 
at Skeans borough (head of Southbay) and as a 
further inducment for my undertakeing Brigadier 
Ruggles afured me of a Lieutennants Commission in 
the army ; the propofals were Such as I could not 
have refused with propriety, had I not ben previously 
engaged in the purfuit of a different object. — I had 
not wholly omitted acknowledging my dependence 
this year 

After my return from the army as above related I 
keept no conflant reguler journal, and can therefore 
give only a general account, with Some more perticuler 
incidents of my life as they occured 

1 761 in March I comminced the Millwrite bufinefs 
which I purfued as my chief imployment for Seven 
or eight year, and after that untill the revolutionary 
war comminced in 1775 my bufmef was pritty much 
confined to farming and Surveying & I alfo lludied 
Navagation 

April 6^^ 1 761 I was maried to Elifabeth Ayres 
daughter of W"^ Ayers Esquire of Brookfield — 

May 14*^ I was taken Sick of the bilious fevor by 
which I was brought very low but it pleased god to 
fpare my life and in about three months I recovered 
my health 

November iG*'^ it pleased god to remove my wife 
by death, leaveing me an infent Son to take care of. 
my fealings on that ocation may be eafier concived 
then defcribed. however if I did not decive my felf 
I bore this trial without murmering against the 
providence of God — 

1762 September 29*^ God was pleased in his holy 
providence to remove my little Son (Ayres) by death, 
thus was I in Lefs then a year deprived of Mother 
and Child, and in them as I then thought of all earthly 



36 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

comfort : but I hope I was in Some good meafure 
inabled to afscribe righteousnefs to my maker — 

January lo*'' 1765 I was maried to Perfis Rice 
daughter of M"" Zebulon Rice of Westborough, who 
is through the goodnefs of God Still Uving, and for 
our Children &c I refer you to the family record — in 
our Quarto Bible ^ 

In 1772 General Lyman returned from England, 
where he had ben Several years Soliciting the Brit- 
ish Goverment, for a grant of Lands to the proven- 
tial officers and Soldiers, who had Served in the 
late war against France. Soon after Lymans return 
a meeting of the adventurers was notified, which was 
held at Hartford in November the Same year.^ to 
this meeting General Lyman gave information that 
an ordor had pafsed the King in Council, authoriz- 
ing the govenor of Well Florida to grant Lands in 
that provence to the provenciels, in the Same propo- 
tions as had ben provided for his Mijesties reguler 
Troops — 

Lyman brought no document on the Subject, but 
his report was So far relied on that the meeting 
Voted to explore the Lands, and for that purpos 
appointed a Conmitte of which I was one. 

December 10*^^ I left my home for the above purpos. 

1 Rufus Putnam died May 4, 1824. His second wife, Persis Rice, who 
was born in 1737, died September 6, 1820. Their children were : — 

Elizabeth, b. 1765; d. unmarried, 1830. 

Persis, b. 1767 ; m. Perly Howe; d. 1822. 

Susanna, b. 1768 ; m. Christopher Burlingame; d. 1840. 

Abigail, b. 1770; m. William Browning; d. 1805. 

William Rufus, b. 1771 ; m. Jerusha Guitteau; d. 1855. 

Franklin, b. 1774; d. 1776. 

Edwin, b. 1776 ; m. Eliza Davis ; d. 1843. 

Martha, b. 1777 ; m Benjamin Tupper; d. 1842. 

Catharine, b. 1780; m. Ebenezer Buckingham ; d. 1808. 

2 For an account of this meeting see The Massachusetts Gazette and 
Boston Weekly News-Letter, December 4, 1772. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 37 

[December] 1 1 arrived at CoI° Israel Putnams, in 
Broolin ^ Connecticutt — 

[December] 20 Col° Putnam & I arrived at new 
york, pafsing by water from Norwich — 

1773 January 10*^ we Sailed from new york on 
board the Sloop Miffifipppi, provided by the afsoci- 
ats, called the Military Company of adventurers) we 
of the exploreing Committe were Col° Putnam, Capt 
Enos,^ M' Thaddeus Lyman, and my Self, with Dan- 
iel Putnam, a lad Son of the Col° & W"' Davis hired 
man. — 

1773 January 30*^^ we arrived at Cape Nichala Moles 
a porte in the North west part of Hispanolia Island, 
this port is an open bay exposed to the Northen 
winds, at bothom of the Bay is a Small Town of 
about half a mile Square, which covers all the flat 
ground to be Seen, Surrounded with high mountains. 
The Town was Said to contain 300 houses, but the 
Island in this quarter is So mountanious as to aford 
no plantations within nine Leagues — 

From New york to this place I was extreamly Sea 
Sick the whole pafsage, not able to keep a journal 

Februay 4*^ we left the Mole, and on the 8^^ ar- 
rived at Montego bay, a Small port on the North 
Side of Jamaica. 

February 9*^ Left Montego Bay and Stood to the 
west. 

[February] 11*^ Lattitude observed 19° 10' N — 
course W^ S — 

[February] 12*'' about 11 Clock at night we nar- 
rowly efcaped runing onto a bear, low Island called 
the Grand Commanders — 

February 15^^ Saw Pine Island bearing North. — 
1 7**^ pafsed Cape Corentas. — 

1 Brooklyn. 2 Roger Enos, of Windsor, Connecticut. 



38 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

[February] i8^^ doubled Cape Antonio (the west 
end of the Island of Cuba and then Steere N b W 

[February] 21^* Storm of wind & rain from the North 
Obliged us to lay too untill the 23*^ — 2* h' P M. — 

February 24*'' at 8. h. P M a violent Squall of wind 
and rain obliged us to heve too again, the 25*^ the 
wether was extreamly cold, and when I returned home 
I found that day was called the cold Tuesday, we 
were not able to Lay our course again untill the 27**^. 
at 4 - h - A M on the 28*"^ we got Soundings at 45 
fathom, and a kind providence So ordored that as 
Soon as we were able to make the Land clearly, we 
Saw our port direct ahead, a circumflance very ex- 
treordinary and by no means to be expected in the 
Bay of Mexeco, where the currents are fo exceeding 
uncertain, and confidering further that we had lain 
intierly at the mercy of the currents and winds for 
5 days — 

March i^*^ we entered the bay of Penfacola and 
came to an ankor before the Town and went on Shore 
in a boate, the water So Shoal that no vefsel of any 
conliderable burden can approach neer the Shore — 

govenor Chester, and his Council treated us in the 
most obliging maner : but alafs no ordor for granting 
Lands to the proventials had arrived, this was a 
motifying circumflance, however the pofsability of its 
yet arriving, with the propofal made for granting 
Lands to the company, on terms within the power of 
the govenor and Council induced the Committe to 
refolve on proceeding on the bufmefs of reconnoitering 
the country, on the Miffippi and to make Such Sur- 
veys as we might think proper, and for this purpos 
I was commifsioned Deputy Surveyor of the provence 
of West Florida. — In the Town of Penfacola there 
were prehaps 150 houfes, with a State house, the 






4„. 



■>^ Y'^^-^-.^,^^^, 




^SfiiS* 






/L.'^?..^.^.. 






JU= 



4=r, 



i^,-.^...ii 



■ ii !■ 




'gtC^Sd^s.i^^^^^t^^.,^^^^!^^^^^^^^ 



PLAN OF NEW 




ORLEANS, 177.:; 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 39 

apperance of the country, on viewing from the State 
house, is a pitch pine forest, however on reconnoiter- 
ing a few Miles distence We found Some Scrubby- 
oak, Walnut & Sarcafax. the Soil (if it can be called 
Soil) is a white Sand — 

March 18*^ Left the Bay of Penfacola and Steer our 
courfe for the Miffifippe, & as we approached the 
mouth of that river found the frefh water (which was 
ealily diflinguished by its brown clay colour) floating 
on top of the Salt water, and haveing at a distence 
the apperence of a Sandy beech, we really for Some 
time took it to be fuch, however being undecived we 
purfued our course into the floating fresh Water of 
the river, and at the distence of a full League from 
Land, were able to take up a full bucket of perfect 
fresh water, but Sinking the bucket about three feet 
brought up Salt water. 

March 20*^ at 5 h P M. we ankered just off the 
mouth of the river, the block house on Mud Island 
bearing N. W. in the night came on a Strong North 
wind, which drove the Sloop from her ankerage, and 
obliged us to come to Sail, we were beating all night 
and the next day untill 5 h 30' P M. when we came 
to Anker in 8 fathom water, the Ship chanel bear- 
ing N N W, Blockhouse W b N. — in the courfe of 
the day, we had pafsed a Spanish Schooner Several 
times, which haled, but we could not underfland what 
they wanted, at evening She came to anker neer us 
and Sent her boate on board, for provisions, they in- 
formed us that forty days Sence they were lying at 
anker neer the place where they now lay, that there 
came on a North wind which drove them to Sea, that 
currents and contrerary winds carried them to the 
bay of Campechey, and had not ben able to regain 
there Station from which they were driven forty days 
before untill now. 



40 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

how different was our fortune, in our pafsage from 
Cape S^ Antonio to Penfacola. in crofsing this Same 
bay we had to conflict with Storms and contrary- 
winds for five days lying at the mercy of those cur- 
rents to cary us we knew not whether, yet providence 
conducted us directly to our defiered port 

1773 March 22^ we entered the Millifippi river, & 
proceeded up about 10 mile from the Mud banlcs, or 
mouth of the Ship channel, called the French Belies.^ 
on the Barr is 1 2 feet water only, we were wind bound 
here for Several days in which time I made a Survey 
of the mouth of the river with Several of its mouths 
or out lets — 

25*^ under a very Light Breefe at S W, for part of 
the day made 15^ mile 

26^'^ light Breeze at S W made 27^ mile at 93^ 
mile pafsed a plantation on the right & the first on 
the river. — 

27^"^ no wind part of the day made only 13^ mile 

28*^^ we are opposit Monfier De laloiras plantation 
which is the most considerable we have met with 
haveing 16 Negroes on it. he tells us he is 72 year 
old & that he is the first man Born in Louisania — 
has 320 acres french meafiare that under the French 
Goverment he valued it at ;^I2000 Sterlin, but now it 
would not be valued at more then one third of that 
money (So diagreable is the Spanish goverment. 

he informs us the river at this place never rifes & 
falls more than 8 feet & not commonly above 5 or 6 
feet, but higher up more. — we Saw many French- 
men here who appeared with as heathy countenances 
as the people in the Northern Collonies — 

March 30^^ we pafsed English Reach So called and 
came too against the left bank about 3 mile below 

1 Balize. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 41 

New Orleans we found Several Vefsels here, mostly 
English, waiting here for trade, not being alowed to 
lie at the town or opposet to it. 

while Lying wind bound, the 23 & 24 took a Sketch 
of the Several out lets or mouths of the River, and 
in coming up took the courses & eftemated the dis- 
tences & from entering the chanel at the Mud banks 
I make 85 ^ mile to the English Reach & from thence 
to Orleans 14 mile 

thus far the river is about half a mile wide with 
a gentle current, with a very light Breeze a Vefsel 
makes her pafsage in a Short time, with the wind in 
the Southerly quarter, as Far as English reach, where 
after worping one mile we came to Sale again — 

the river here is 715 yards wide, and the deepth 
70 fathom 

April 8^^ Cap* Goodrich haveing refused to pro- 
ceed any further, with the Sloop, we proceeded up 
the river in a Small Batteau, — takeing the course 
of the river & distences as before, make this day 15^ 
mile 

April g^^ at 20 >^ mile, we came up with M-^ Nalhes 
Sloop who informs he had ben further up & might 
have gon far above Manfhack without worping 

April lo*'^ made i6>^ mile, 11*^ fair wind Set our 
Sale & arrived at the Acadian Settlement 71 mile 
above New Orleans, thefe people were removed by 
the English from Nova Scotia, in 1754 — we land on 
the right 

April 1 2*^ tarried among the Acadians all day and 
were treated with hospitality — they have a Church 
a few miles above this on the left bank — 

13*'^ we pafsed a town of the Homafs Indians 
called Choof town, they have about 20 warriours — 

15*^ pafsed the river Ibervill, So called in the treaty 



42 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

of 1 763, at the head of the Island of Orleans & is 1 18 1^^ 
mile from the Town of New orlans, it is a Small out- 
let of the MilTifippi & was at this time dry, however 
in high water runs eastward, & with the river Amit 
falls into the Lakes Maurapas & Ponterchane & forms 
the Island of Orleans — 

on the Island Side was a Spanish officer, & 10 men 
on the English Side called Manfhack was Several tol- 
larable Houfes, & very good gardens, but no Soldiers 
about I ^ mile above Manfhack is the Indian village 
of the Alabames on the right hand — 

iG**^ pafsed Carpenters, the first English Planta- 
tion — 

17* pafsed Batten Rouge about 14 mile above 
Manfhack and at 38 ^^ mile to Browns Cliff & Thomp- 
sons Creek 

18^^ at 3^ mile above Thompsons Creek came to 
the first Plantation of Point Coupe — 

19*^ at 4 mile pafsed George Urqurharts plantation, 
on the right bank of the river — 
at 61^ mile came to the Fort & Church of Point 
Copee, a french Settlement on the Westerly Side 
of the river and is Said to be as old, or older then 
Orleans & at this tim extended about Seven Leagus 
on the river 

made is}4 opposit to M"" MTntosh on the East of 
the river — pafsed a ftream on the right called Clap 
river 

April 20*^ made 12 }( mile to day, pafsed an In- 
dian Villege of about 40 Hutts, belonging to the 
Tonicas — 

Wednesday 21^^ made 181^ mile to M"" Blancherds 
plantation 

Thursday 22^^ made 16 mile to day, at 9^ we were 
opposet the Appeloufes, an out let of the MilTifippi, 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 43 

which flows into the Gulf or Bay of Mexeco. this out 
let appears to be about 40 perches wide & according 
to the Survey I mad of the river is 315^ mile from 
the Bellis or mouth of the river, and g'j}( mile above 
the head of the Island of Orleans. Three mile above 
this last out let, falls in on the west the river de Rouge, 
or Red Rive it appears to be about 200 yards wide. — 

Friday 23^^ made 18 ^^^ mile at 10 mile lower end of 
Lofftis-Cliffs on the East — at 13 mile lower mouth 
of the Homocheto Creek on which it was Said were 
a number of Familis — 

Saturday 24*^ made 20 mile, at 13 mile coasting 
the western Shore of the river, we found that in 1 1 ^ 
mile we had advanced but 46^ yards, the ismus be- 
ing by actual Meafurement no more acrofs, and by 
a water Level we found the fall of the water 2 feet 6 
inches 

in the courfe of the day we pafsed three Islands, 
on the right of the channel, lying abrest of each other, 
& behind which is another mouth of the Homocheto 
or rather out let of a Small Lake lying three miles 
inland into which the Homocheto enties by three 
channels 

Sunday April 25*^ made 12^ mile, pafsed another 
Small Blue, which in high water communicates with 
the Lake of Homocheto. at 45^ an Island neer the 
left Shore at 10 mile 2 very large Island, lying 
abrest. — 

Monday 26* made 14^ mile to Fort Rosolen, at 
the Natches — at 2}4 mile to the high Cliff which 
joins the river one mile at 4 mile pafsed the S* Cath- 
erine Creek a Small Streem heading Northest — half 
a mile below the Natches is the first gravel Shore we 
have Seen on the river — 

Fort Rossoline, or rather its ruins, is Sittuate on 



44 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

the margen of a very elevated highth neer 80 perches 
from the river & by a winding road not very difficult 
of afsent. the fort was a reguler Heptagon capable 
of containing 4 or 500 men. the English keept a gar- 
ison here untill about 4 years ago, Sence which the 
Barracks &c ware burnt by the Indians, in a drunken 
frolick — Here I attempted takeing the Lattitude of 
the place with Davis' Quadrent & made the Fort to 
be in Lat-3i° - 15' N & the variation of the Needle 
5 ° - E - the Lands for Several mile round appear 
to be Indian planting grounds, worn out. one traders 
Hutt neer the old Fort 

Tuesday April 27* we vilited fome Setlers on St 
Catherine Creek about 3 mile distent, the Lands on 
this Creek is pritty good, timber. Hickory, Walnut, 
oak, white & yallow Afh — which kind of Land we 
were informed extends 30 or 40 mile from the river, 
that on the Homocheto Creek about 20 mile dis- 
tent are a number of Settlers, & the Lands very 
good — 

As far as we have afsended the river we have feen 
no Creek or Spring water fit to drink, at M'^ Thomp- 
fons where we have ben to Day we faw a well 60 feed 
deep without ftone or Curb, fo Stiff is the Clay that 
it had no appear of caveing 

The distences from the mouthe of the Mifsisippi as follows 



From the mouth of the river to English Reach 
to New Orleans 

to Manfhack or head of Island of Orleans 
to Batten rouge Creek 

to Browns Cliff, first high land & Thompsone Creek 
to point Coupee Church 

to Appeloufis outlet runing into the Bay of Mexico 
to River de Rouge, or Red river on the west 
to Lofftis Cliffs, the 2'^ high land joining the river 
to the Landing of the Natchees 

N B the courses were taken with a Small compafs having a Sea com- 
pas bowl, & each course estemated 



Miles 



Miles 



86 




14 


ICO 


118 


218 


20 


238 


19 


257 


10 


267 


49 


316 


3 


319 


14 


333 


55 


388 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 45 

Wednesday April 28^^ Left the Natches in the after 
noon and on the morning of the 3^^ of May arrived 
at the mouth of Biue Pier, or Stone Creek, distence 
46}^ mile from Natches 

about 8 mile below this Creek is the place called 
pette gulf where the river is bounded for neer one 
mile by a Soiled rock, the angle of the ellivation is 
at about 45° and at lest 300 feet high 

all the valuable Lands on the river, below Biue 
Pier, haveing ben already Located we fpent but Little 
time in examining the country, but we now comnence 
our reconnoitering 

We afend the Biue in our boat found it 17 mile 
to the forks, on the right found the land in general 
uneven, Soil thin, & gravelly on the ridges, on the 
Left Land low & in many places fubject to the river 
floods, but on both forks of this Creek, the Lands 
are in General pritty good Soil, a mixture of Clay & 
Merle. Timber White & Black oak. Hickory Beech 
Copalm, & Some Cyprus. 

about 100 rod below the Forks we maked a tree, for 
commincing our Location — 

Wednesday May 5*^ we returned down this Creek 
to the river, 9 mile above the Biue Pier we arrive at 
the Big gulf, where relides M*^ Thomas James, an 
Indian trader 

May 6*^ we hired an Indian for a poilate in the 
woods, & alfo to inform any Indians we might meet, 
who we were — 3 mile abve M'' James is the Loufo- 
cheto, or big black river, here two of our party with 
the Chocteau we had hired Set off by Land while the 
rest proceed up the river to the Walnut hills distence 
from Big Black 55 ^ we arrived here Saturday the 
8*^ in the evening — pafsed Several high handfom 
Banks of Bottom on our way from big Black as well 



46 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

as fome Large bottoms which are flooded in high 
water 

here we met our Gentlemen who came by Land, 
we lem from them, that their rout was through a flat 
country & Some Cyrus Swamps that the Cain Brake 
were fo thick it was not pofsible to examin the Land 
far from the path — 

Sunday May 9^^ proceeded up the river withe the 
Boat, & the fame two gentlemen which before had 
come by Land from the Big Black Set off again by 
land for the high grounds on the Yasou. from the 
Walnut hills we make 1 7 ^ to the mouth of the Yasou 
& 131^ the Natches, the courfes & distences taken 
as mentioned in page 67 [44] — 

Monday May 10 we afended the Yasou river about 
9 mile to a high ground, Said to be formerly a French 
Station, here we met with our compenions who came 
by land at an excellent Spring of water ifsuing from 
a ftone Quarry. I found by my calculation we were 
North of the provence Line of West Floriday : this & 
the Sour Countenances of a number of Indians Sig- 
nifiing there disapprobation of our being here indused 
us to return down the river with out examining the 
Lands here abouts 

The yasou river is about 25 perches wide, a dead 
llreme, bad water, — with many Allegators. the 
Mifsisippi backs far up this river in high water, we 
fell down the Yasou about 6 mile, & Camped — 

It was the intention of Col° Putnam & M"" Lyman 
to have gon by the Chickafa path from the yasou 
over to the Big Black river, but our Chactau refused 
to poilate them 

Tuesday May 11*'^ we reconoitered the Land on 
the South Side the yasou for Some distence — 

Wednesday may 12^^ Spent as yesterday 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 47 

Thursday d° [May] 13*'' Col° Putnam, M"" Lyman 
& myfelf Set out by Land, more perticulerly to examin 
the high Lands Stretching from the old French Sta- 
tion, before mentioned to the Walnut hills, we Steared 
our courfe as neer the hills as pofible on account of 
the Cane brakes Saw Several Small Streams ifsuing 
from the high Lands, & land very rich, in the after 
noon we purfued one of thefe Streams to Some dis- 
tence, when we were taken up by a mighty Cane 
Brake, here Col° Putnam climed a tree & discovered 
high Land at about 100 rods distent which we were 
two hours in gaining, on account of the difficulty of 
giting through the Cane — 

here I climed a tree & had a fine prospect of the 
Country, the Lands from the Northeast round to the 
South appear hilly but not Mountanious nor much 
broken we returned part of the way down the hill & 
Camped by a very fine Spring — 

Friday May 14*'' we came by various windings 
through the flat Lands to our Boat, about one mile 
above Walnut hills — the flat country between here 
& the yafou is much injured by ponds, Cyprus 
Swamps & overflowing of the river 

Satturday May 15 — M-" Lyman & my Self, went 
up the Cliff, or Walnut hills, here I climed two trees, 
found the Land makes high, North — East & South 
or S S E bearing off from the river, but Some what 
uneven full of Cane & rich foil on top the highest 
ridges, thefe high lands join those of the Big Black 
Some miles from its mouth, under thefe hills the 
gentlemen mentioned before who came up by Land 
pafsed Several Cyprus Swamps & dead ponds with- 
out meeting with one brook or runing Stream = 

having finished our exploring in this quarter, we 
fell down the river Landing Several times to examin 



48 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

the bank, intended Som of us Should crofs the great 
Bend by Land, but were told it was impracticable on 
account of ponds, Samps, & Cane 

Sunday May i6 we returned down the river as far 
as M'' James, who Speeks the Indian tongue, our 
Chactau now informed us by M' James why he re- 
fused to poilate a part of us from the yasou to the big 
black, as before mentioned viz. that at the yasou he 
met two Chiefs who forbid his going, or in other 
words was opposed to our exploring any of the Lands 
above the big black river. — 

Monday May 17 — Col° Putnam M"" Lyman & my 
felf Set out to explore the Lands on the Big Black, 
this river or Creek is in General from Six to eight 
rods wide, we afssended this river about 25 mile, 
with the Boat to a rapped, with a Smooth firm rock 
at the bottom, over which the water falls about one 
foot, high banks — a good mill Seat — 

we faw much fine Land on & neer this Creek with 
a number of fine Springs of Water, for Several mils 
hoeve on the right hand the lands apper hilly but 
rich — 

Thursday. May 20. we returned down the river to 
M"" James^ where we found the Second Chief of 
Chactau Nation waiting for us. he prefented us with 
his Commifsion given him by Govenor Chester — 
To Mingo-oume Captain Georgit or Second Chief 
&c — 

haveing Shewn us his Commifsion, he told us that 
he underllood that we had ben at the yasou, that no 
white people would be permited to Settle there — 
we delired him to come in the morning & we would 
attend to his bulinefs — 

Friday May 21^* about 10. A M — Mingo oma, 
whose name is alfo Snake head, cam as expected. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 49 

we asked him how far up the Mifsisippi there nation 
had agreed the white people might Settle — he Said 
that at the Last Congrefs it was agreed the white 
people Should Setde on the Lousocheto, or Big- 
Black & not higher. — 

at 5 Clock P M we fet out down the river — 
Monday May 24*^ at the Natches obferved the Suns 
miridian altitude found the Lattitude 3i°-i5^Nas 
before and by an observation at Sun Setting make 
the variation of the Magnetic needle 5° -30' East — 
Tuesday May 2S^\ we learn the lands beyond the 
Homocheto are broken & without water, & therefore 
ditermin not to explore them as we had before con- 
templated — 

Wednesday June 2^^ we arrived at Manlhac, have- 
ing in our way down Spent considerable time in ex- 
ploring the Lands neer the river on the English, or 
West Florida Side — and here it my be proper to give 
a general defcription of the country we have vifited 
and — 

First — the intervels or bottoms are very rich, with 
a very deep Soil, but in general & I believe univer- 
fally Subject to inundation by the waters of the river 
in high floods. J ground my opinion on this cir- 
cumllance, that I Saw drift wood Lodged in trees 
hanging over the Side of the river higher above the 
Suface of the water 'then any Land I Saw bordering 
on the river, except the few hills, or Cliffs, as they 
are called that join the river. — 

Befides many part of the bottoms are flooded by 
every confiderable fresh in the river, and are alfo in- 
terfperced with many ponds, & Cyprus Swamps, filled 
with flagnent water, which will be very expencive to 
drane, & in many inllences impracticable — 
The Margin of the high Lands, bordering the 



50 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

bottoms, are in general rich but uneven & from Sev- 
eral views I had from the tops of trees, this general 
unevennefs of the Land extends Several miles from 
the river — 

the Soil of the uplands in many parts is rather 
thin & under neeth a ftifE clay of great depth, under- 
growth on the bottoms & rich uplands, Cane — 

Timber, on the high lands, Hickory & oaks of all 
kind Bottoms, Locoust, Willow, the Cotton tree — 
Copalm, Ash, Mulberry, the royal Magnola, or high 
Lawrel with Cyprus in abundence — 

Streams of water. I Saw very few Small Stremes, 
none fit for Mills — the Mill Seat on the Big Black is 
the only one I Saw or heard of in the country — 

Fowl — there Some Turkies, plenty of Duck, & in 
the winter geefe & wood Pigions 

Wild game — Dear & Bear are the chief — 

Reptiles there are but few & they chiefly of the 
harmles kind 

Fish, there are Several kinds, the Cat, & Sheeps 
head are the principle. — 

The Allegater, abunds in the MilTifippi and all the 
Streames are visited — 

Thursday June 3^ — we met our Slop three Leagus 
below Manfhac, where we were detained until the g^^ 
by M"" Ladle the Supercargo. 

Saturday June 12 came too about 4 mile above 
Orleans here we were detained untill the 28^^ of June 
while the Sloop was repairing — 

Thursday July i^* at ^^ past 4 Clock P M pafsthe 
Belies, and Stand N : E : b : N for Penfacola — . which 
on account of head winds we did not reach untill the 
5^^ in the evening — 

Tuesday July 6*'^ we waited on the Govenor, who 
informed us that in our abfence up the river to ex- 



pry ffCo ./fu/u^^/TTj (iorv\.H^KruJ 

■ '^ i 



cl(m.l'^ H lily! 




MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 51 

plore the country, he had by two packets from Ja- 
mecha recived Letters from England, but northing 
refpecting granting Lands to the proventials. — 

Wednesday July 7*^ we prefered a pertition to the 
govenor & Council with a plan of the townfhips we 
proposed to Locate, but So many objections were 
made to our proposed Location, that the bulinefs was 
posponed untill Friday. — in the mean time the Sur- 
veyor General directed me to make a new draft of the 
proposed townships 

Friday July 9*^ the Councill advised on our bufi- 
nefs & furnished us with copy of there refult, which 
Limited the time of refervation to the first of March 

Satturday July 10*'' we applied to the Govenor for 
a Longer time to commence the Settlement but with- 
out effect. 

Sunday July 11*^ we went on board & fell down to 
Rofe Island — 

Monday July 12*^^ Col° Putnam & M^ Lyman, on 
advice from M"" Jones one of the council, went up to 
town to engage M*" Levingston, the Secretary, in the 
name of the Committe to move in Council for a longer 
refervation then had ben granted — but of the refult 
I find no minute — 

Tuesday July 13*^ head wind. 

Wednesday July 14*'^ Still at achor neer Rofe Island 

Thursday July 15*^ came to Sale wether fair & 
plefent Light westerly Breefe course S. E. b S Lat- 
titude observed 29° -11' N — 

Friday July i6*^ pleasent wether, Wind W-S, W 
Course S E b S — Lattitude observed 26^-54' N 

Saturday July 17*'' pleafent wether, wind S-W 
course S E Lattitude observed 25° -55' N 

Saturday [Sunday] July 18^^ at 8. H-A M we 
unexpectedly found our Selves in 14 fathom, & with 



52 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

in half a League of a nunber of Low bushey Islands, 
which we took for the Tortugas at first, but they 
proved to be the Seven Islands, on making thefe we 
imediately bore up S-E untill 1 2 oClock — Lattitude 
observed 24° - 33' — we now bore away East, & Soon 
Lost Sight of Land, haveing had very little wind ; 
Sometimes not fuihcient to make the Sloop feal her 
helm, it was evident we had ben driven out of our 
course by a Strong current, it was in vain now to 
attempt the Bay of Matanses, haveing little or no 
wind & a Urong current under foot 

Monday July 19*^ at 5 H - A M Saw Some of the 
Martiers bearing North — Stood away, or rather 
keept the Sloops head. East, & Sometimes E. N. E 
untill 12 Lattitude observed 24° -21' N. at ^ past 
4 PM. cleared Cape Florida off which lies a Small 
Sandy Kee about one Legue distent, bore away N. 
E. b N. untill 6 oClock then N b E. N B the fmallest 
Canoe might have made the voige thus far with the 
greatest Seafety fo fmall was the wind & So Smothe 
the water 

Tuesday July 20**^ in Sight of Land most of the 
day — course N b E La* observed 25° -5' N a 
frelh breese in the after noon Calm in the night — 

Wednesday July 21^* Saw Land most of the day 
— La* observed 26° -51' N 

Thursday July 22*^ head winds & Squall. I was 
So Sea fick that I was no longer able to keep a journal 

Friday August 6*'^ arrived at New york, haveing 
had my health in a remarcable maner, exipt Seafick- 
nef, with which I was alway attacked whenever we 
had a frelh Breese of wind, or a rough Sea — 

Saturday august 8^^ [7*^] the Sloop Miffifippi being 
to remain at New york Some time, Col° Putnam his 
Son Daniel & my felf took pafsag in a Sloop for Nor- 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 53 

wich, but on our way fprung the Mast & with Some 

difficulty arrived at New London on Tuesday the 10*'' 
Wednesday august 11*^. quit the floop & took 

pafsag in a Row boate for Norwich — 

Thursday august 12*^ came on Horseback to Col° 

Putnams & Friday 13*'' arrived at my own house in 

Brookfield — 

It may be a matter of enquery with fome what 

was the final refult of this undertakeing. I anfwer fo 
vavorable, was the report of the reconnotering Com- 
mite refpecting the quality of the Lands, Climate &c 
and moderat terms on which the govenor & council 
engaged to grant the Lands ; that the Company at 
a meeting in Hartford in the fall of 1773 refolved to 
profecute the Settlement, and the Same fall, & winter 
& Spring Severl hundred families embarked from 
Mafsachusetts, Connecticut & other places for the 
purpos of Settleing on the Lands we had explored : 
but they were Sadly disappointed for on the 6^^ of 
October 1773 govenor Chester informed his Council 
theat he had recived " an ordor of the King in Coun- 
" cil prohibiting him from granting any more Lands, 
" either on Family Rights or on purchas, untill the 
" Kings pleafure was further fignified to him " thus 
the Land office was fhut before the emigrants arrived, 
& indeed I believe before any of them Sailed, & never 
opened afterward — and all the encouragment they 
found on there arrivel was a permifsion to Set down 

on any vacant Land they could find the refult 

to my felf was the Lofs of more then eight months 
time in the tour, befides two jornies to Hartford & 
considerable expence more then the $80, which I re- 
cived as advance pay before we left N. york 
Those who emigrated in 1774 arrived generally too 
late in the Season, to expect health in such a Change 



54 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

of Climate, Soon fell Sick, many died, & the revolu- 
tionary war brakeing out in 1775 put an end to the 
businefs of further profecuting the Settlement 



The Revolutionary War with Great Brittain Com- 
minced the 19*^ of April 1775, By the British troops 
firing on Some Militia at Lexeton, Concord &c which 
was followed by raising an army for the defence of 
the country. 

I entered the Service in the capacity of L*^ Col*^ in 
a Regement commanded by Col° David Brewer, and 
continued in Service to the clofe of the war — 

My Character as a Soldier is not for me to give — 
however that my decendents may know in Some 
meafure what Services I rendered my county, and in 
what eftemation I was held by my fuperiour officers, 
I propose to give fome account of the Special Ser- 
vices I was called to engage in. 

My Regiment was Stationed at Roxbury, under the 
command of General Thomas, & imedately after the 
Battle of Charlestown the 17*'^ of June, the general 
& Field ofiers of that Station met in Councill, to 
advise what was best to be don in our exposed Sit- 
tuation. it was the unanimous advice of the officers 
conveaned, that Some Lines of defence fhould be ime- 
diately commenced for the Securing the troops from 
furprize & protection of the town — the general in- 
formed us that he had applied for Col° Gridley to 
come over from Cambridge, but could not obtain him 
as he was the only Engineer on that Side, & the only 
one he knew of. — Some of my acquaintence men- 
tioned me as having ben imployed in that line in the 
Late war against Canada I informed the General 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 55 

that I had never read a word on the Subject of For- 
tification, that it was true that I had ben imployed 
on Some under British Eengeneers, but pretended to 
no knowledge of Laying works, but there was no 

excuse would do, undetake I must Oh I what a 

Sittuation were we in. no Lines to cover us, better 
then a board fence in case the enemy advanced upon 
us, & this we had reason to expct — Necefsity there- 
fore was upon me, undertake I must 

I imediately commenced traceing out Lines in front 
of Roxbury toward Boston, & various other places, 
on the Roxbury Side peticularly at Sewels point it 
was my good fortune to be at this place when Gen^ 
Wafhington & General Lee first came over to examin 
the Sittuation of the Troops & works on Roxbury 
Side of the River — and I was not a little gratified 
& incouraged from there perticuler approbation of 
the plan of the works I had Laid out. General Lee 
Spook much in favor of the works at Sewels point, 
compared with those which had ben conflructed on 
Cambridge Side 

the works Laid out at Roxbury, Dorchester & 
Brookline were all of my conflructing, & Late in the 
Fall I laid out the Fort on Cobble hill, neer Charles- 
town Mill pond 

In the course of this Campaign, by the Generals 
ordor, I Surveyed & delineated the courfes, distences 
and relitave Sittuation of the enimies works in Boston 
& Charlestown with our own in Cambridge, Roxbury, 
&c &c &c — 

In December I accomanied General Lee to Provi- 
dence & Newport, at this Last place, I Lade out Some 
works, perticulerly a Battery from whence to com- 
mand the Harbour, & Some works neer Rowlands 



56 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

Ferry, to Secure the communication of Rhode Island 
with the Main — 

In the formation of the new army to be raised at 
the close of 1775 I was appointed L* Col° in the 22^ 
regiment, Commanded by Col° Sam^' Wyllis — how- 
ever I never joined the regiment, but continued in 
the Engineer department 

1776 January & February — during thefe months 
the mind of General Wafhington was deeply engaged 
on a plan of crofsing on the Ice & attacking the Brit- 
ish in Boston — , or endevor to draw them out by 
takeing pofsesion of Dorchester Neck. 

Now with refpect to takeing pofsession of Dorches- 
ter Neck there were circumstances which fell within 
my knowledge, & Sphere of duty, which were fo evi- 
dently marked by the hand of an overruling provi- 
dence that I think proper to relate them — 

As Soon as the Ice was thought fufficiently Ilrong 
for the army to pafs over (or prehaps rather before) a 
Council of general officers was conveaned on the Sub- 
ject, what there perticuler opinions were I never knew, 
but the Brigadiers were directed to confult the Field 
officers of there Several Regiments, & they again 
to feal the temper of the Captains & fijbbalterns — 

While this was doing I was invited to dine at head 
Quarters, & while at diner General Wafhington de- 
siered me to tarry after diner — & when we were 
alone he entered into a free conversation on the Sub- 
ject of Storming the town of Boston — 

That it was much better to draw the enemy out 
to Dorchester, then to atack him in Boston no one 
doubted, for if we could maintain our felves on that 
point or Neck of Land, our command of the town & 
Harbour of Boston would be fuch as would probably 
compel them to Leave the place. — 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 57 

But the Cold weather which had made a Bridge of 
Ice for our pafsage into Boston, had alfo frozen the 
earth to a great depth, efpecially in the open country- 
Such as was the hills on Dorchester Neck — So that 
it was impofsible to make a Lodgment there in the 
ufual way, however, the General directed me to con- 
lider the fubject & if I could think of any way in 
which it could be don, to make report to him imedi- 
ately — 

and now mark thofe Singuler circumftances which 
I call providence — I left head quarters in company 
with an other Gentleman, & in our way come by Gen' 
Heaths I had no thoughts of calling untill I came 
against his door, & then I Sais, let us call on Gen' 
Heath, to which he agreed. I had no other motive 
but to pay my refpects to the general, while there I 
cast my eye on a book which Lay on the table, Let- 
tered on the back, Midlers Field Engineer. I imedi- 
ately requested the General to lend it me. he denied 
me. I repeated my requst. he again refused, & told 
me he never Lent his books. I then told him that 
he must recollect that he was one, who at Roxbury in 
a Meafure compelled [me] to undertake a bufinefs 
which at the time I confefsed I never had read a 
word about, & that he must let me have the book, 
after fome more excufes on his part, close prefsing 
on my part, I obtained the Loan of it — I arrived at 
my quarters about dark, it was the custom for the 
overfeers of the workmen to report to me every even- 
ing what progrefs had ben made during the day. 
when I arrived there were Some of them already 
there. I put my book in the Chest, & if I had time I 
did not think of Looking in it that night — 

the next morning as Soon as oppertunity offered I 
took my book from the Chest, and looking over the 



58 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

contents I found the word, Chandilears. what is that 
thought I it is Somthing I never heard of before, but 
no fooner did I turn to the page where it was de- 
scribed with its use but I was ready to report a plan 
for makeing a Lodgment on Dorchester Neck — (in- 
fidels may Laugh if they please) 

In a few minuts after I had for my Self ditermined. 
Col*' Gridley (the Engineer who had conducted the 
work at Cambridge) with Col° Knox of the Artillery, 
who had ben directed to confult with me on the 
fubject arrived, they fell in with my plan, our report 
was approved of by the Gen^ & preperations imedi- 
ately Set on foot to cary it into effect and every thing 
being ready for the enterprise, the plan was put in 
execution & a Lodgment made on Dorchester highths 
in the night of the fourth of March — fuch were the 
circumftances which Led to the discovery of a plan 
which obliged the enemy to Leve Boston, viz — a 
Lodgment made of Chandeliers * Fafciens &c 

The 31^* of March 1776 I recived General Wafh- 
ingtons ordors^ " to march to New york, by the way 
of Providence, to afford Govenor Cook my best ad- 
vice & afsistence in the conllruction of the work 
there " in this tour I went to visit Newporv; again 
where I Laid out Some additional works, on my 
return from Newport to Providence I met with Gen- 
eral Wafhington there, I believe the 6*^ of April and 
obtained leave to go by Brookfield to New York. I 
belive I tarried with my family part of two days & 
then pushed for New york where I arrived about the 
20th 

* A Chandelier is conftructed of one Sill, lo feet long & 6 inch Square 
with two posts 5 feet long of the fame fize framed into the Sill 5 feet 
apart, each f upported by a Brace on the out Side — they are placed on the 
ground at a proper distance from each other the open fpace between the 
post are then filled with bundels of Fafciens ftrongly picketed togather — 

1 Page 129. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 59 

on my arrivel at New york I was charged (as 
chief Engineer) with Laying out & overfeing the 
works which were erected during the Campagn, at 
New york, Long Island & there dependencies with 
Fort Washington, Fort Lee, King Bridge &c most 
of which, but not all, appear in a plan of New York 
Island &c which accompanies Marfhals Life of Wafh- 
ington and obflructions in the river — this was a Ser- 
vice of Much Feteague, for my whole time was taken 
up from daylight in the morning untill night in the 
bufmefs, befides Sometimes going in the night by 
Warter from New york to Fort Wafhington. 

and that you may know in what account I was with 
Gen^ Wafhington at that time I fhall transcribe a part 
of his letter to Congrefs of the 10^'' of July 1776 — 

" General Mercer is now in the Jerfeys, for the pur- 
" pos of reciving & ordering the Militia coming for the 
*' flying camp : and I have Sent over our chief engi- 
*' neer to view the ground within the Neighborhood of 
" Amboy, and to lay out Some Necefary works for the 
*' encampment, and fuch as may be propper at the 
" different pafses in Bargin Neck, and other places " 

Augut 1776 Congrefs apponted me Engineer which 
was anounced to me as follows — 

New YORK, August i iih, 1776 
Sir 

" I have the pleafure to inform you that Congrefs 
" have appointed you an Engineer with the Rank 
of Col°, and pay of Sixty dollars per month — ^ 
I am Sir, your afured frind & Ser* 

G' Washington 

1 Omitted in General Putnam's transcription : — 

" I beg of you to hasten the sinking of vessels and other obstructions 
in the river at Fort Washington, as fast as it is possible. Advise Gen. 



6o MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

September 8*^ 1776, a Council of General officers 
had ditermined on holding the City of Newyork, 
See general Wafhingtons Letter of that date — ^ 

on the 12^^ of September having ben out with 
General Miflin, by ordor of General Wafhington, to 
reconnoiter the country between Kingsbridge & Mor- 
risania & eastward on our return we met with gen- 
eral Wafhington neer Harlem highth, where we made 
our report to him in consequence of which a coun- 
cil of general officers was conveaned, whose advice 
was the withdrawing the army from the city. See 
the generals Letter of the 14*^ September,^ & this 
> measure was the Selvation of the army, and which 
probably would not have ben but for the discoveries 
made by Miflin & my Self — 
; My being appointed Engineer by Congrefs was 
wholly unexpected — I had begun to act in that ca- 
pacity through pure necefsity, and had continued to 
conduct the bufmefs more from necefsity & refpect 
for the general then from any opinion I had of my 
own abilities, or knowledge of that art ; true it is that 
after my arrivel at New york I had read fome books 
on Fortification & I knew much more then when I be- 
gun at Roxbury, but I had not the vanity to fupose that 
my knowledge was Such as to give me a Claim to the 
first rank in a Corps of Engineers, yet my experience 
convinced me that fuch a Corpe was necefsary to 
be ellablished, therefore neer the Last of September, 
I drew up a plan for Such an eflablishment & pre- 
fented it to General Wafhington, and which he trans- 
Putnam constantly of the kind of vessels you want and other things, 
that no delay that can possibly be avoided may happen. 
P.S. — Congress have just sent two French gentlemen here as engineers. 
Will either of them be of use at Fort Washington or Kingsbridge .' " 

* Washington's Official Letters to Congress. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 6i 

mitted to Congrefs. See his letter to that body of 
the 5^^ of November 1776 — ^ 

" I have taken the Liberty to transmit a plan for 
" ellablishing a corps of engineers, artificers, «&c, 
" Sketched out by Colonel Putnam, & which is pro- 
" posed for the consideration of Congrefs. How far 
" they may incline to adopt it, or whether they may 
" chuse to proceed upon Such an extensive Seal, they 
" will be pleased to determine. However I concive it 
" a matter well worthy of there confideration, being 
" convinced from experience and from the reafons 
"Suggested by Col° Putnam who has acted with 
" great diligence & reputation in the bufmefs, that 
'* Some ellablishment of the Sort is highly necefsary, 
" and will be productive of the most beneficial con- 
" fequences " 

in my Letter to General Wafhington on the fubi- 
ject I disclaimed all pretention of being placed at the 
head of the proposed corps, & Signified it would be 
my choice to Serve in the Line of the army 

October 19*^ 1776 — the British Landed on Pells 
point and Some Skirmifhing to place in the afternoon 
between part of Glovers Brigade & Some advance 
parties of the enemy neer East Chester. — the next 
morning by ordor of the general I Set out from 
Kingsbridge, to reconnoiter there Pofition &c I Set 
out in company with Col° Reed the adjutent general 
& a foot guard of about 20 men. when we arrived 
on the highths of East Chester we Saw a Small body 
of British neer the church, but we could obtain no 
intiligence, the Houses were diserted — 

Col° Reed now told me he must return to attend 
ifsuing general ordors. I observed that we had made 
no discovery yet of any consequence, that if he went 

1 October 5, 1776. 



62 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

back I wished him to take the guard back for I chose 
to go alone — 

I then disguised my apperence as an officer as far 
as I could, and Set out on the road to White plains, 
however, I did not then know where White plains 
was, nor where the road I had taken would carry me. 
I had gon about i ^ mile, when a road turned off to 
the right, I followed it prehaps^ a mile & came to a 
house, where I lerned from the woman that this road 
Lead to New-Rochell that the British were there 
& that they had a guard at a house in Sight, on 
this information I turned & purfued my rout toward 
White plains (the houses on the way all deferted) 
untill I came with 3 or 4 mile of the place, here I 
discovered a House a little a head with men about it 
by my glafs I found they were not British Soldiers, 
however I approached them with caution. I called 
for Some oats for my horse, Set down and heard 
there chat Some little time, when I found they were 
frinds to the cause of America & then I began to 
make the necefsary enquieries — & on the whol I 
found that the main body of the Brittish Lay neer 
New Rochelle. from thence to White plains about 
nine mile, good roads & in general level open coun- 
try that at white plains was a large quantity of 
Stores, with only about three hundred melitia to guard 
them, that the British had a detachment at Maniar- 
neck only Six miles from White plains, & from White 
plains only five mile to the North River, where lay 
five or Six of the enimies Ships & Slops, tenders 
&c — 

having made thefe difcoveries I Set out on my 
return, the road from Wards acrof the Brunx was my 
intended rout unlefs I found the Brittish there, which 
happly they were not, but I Saw American on the 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 63 

highths west of the Brunx, who had arrived there 
after I pafsed up — I found it to be Lord Sterlings 
Division, it was now after Sunset. I gave My Lord 
a Ihort accont of my disoveries took Some refresh- 
ment, & Set off For head quarters, by the way of 
Phihps, at the mouth of Sawmill river, a road I had 
never traveled, among tory inhabitence & in the 
night. I dare not enquire the way, but providence 
conducted me — I arrived at head Quarter neer 
Kings bridge (a distence of about 10 mile) about nine 
oClock at night. I found the General alone. I re- 
ported to him the discoveries I had made, with a 
Sketch of the country, he complained very fealingly 
of the Gentlemen from New York from whome he 
had never ben able to obtain a plan of the country — 
that from there information he had ordored the flores 
to White plains as a place of Securety — the General 
Sent for General Greene, & gen^ George Clinton 
Sence Vice Prefident of the United) as Soon as 
General Clinton came in my ketch and Statement 
was Shewn to him & he was asked if the Sittuation 
of those places were as I had reported, — gen^ Clin- 
ton Said they were 

I had but a Short time to refrefh my Self & Horse 
when I recived a Letter from the General with ordors 
to proceed immediately to Lord Sterlings, and I ar- 
rived at his quarter about two oClock in the morn- 
ing 

October 21^* 1776 — Lord Sterling Division 
Marched before daylight & we arrived at the White 
plains about 9 Clock AM — and thus was the Ameri- 
can army Saved (by an ititerpofeing providence) 
from a probabal total deftruction. I may be asked 
wherein this perticuler interposition of providence 
appears. I anfwer, First in the Stupidity of the British 



y 



64 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

General in that he did not early on the morning of 
the 20**^ Send a detachment and take pofsession of 
the post & Stores at White plains for had he don 
this we must then have faught him on his own terms, 
and fuch disadvantagous terms on our part as hu- 
manely Speeking must have proved our overthrow 
again when I parted with Col° Reed on the 20^^ as 
before mentioned, I have always thought I was moved 
to So hazardous an undertaking by foreign influence 
— on my rout I was Liable to meet with Some Brit- 
ish or tory parties, who probably would have made 
me a prifoner, (as I had no knowledge of any way of 
efcape acrofs the Brunx but the one I came out) hence 
I was induced to disguife my felf by takeing out 
my cockade, Loping my hat & Secreating my Sword 
& pistols under my Loose coat, and then had I ben 
taken under this disguise the probability is that I 
Should have ben hanged for a Spy — 
October 29^^ [28*^ ?] the british advanced in front of 
our Lines at White plain about 10 Clock AM — I 
had just arrived on Chatterton hill in ordor to throw 
up Some works when they hove in fight, as Soon as 
they discovered us they commenced a Severe can- 
nonade but without eny effect of consequence. Gen- 
eral M'^Dougal about this time arriving with his 
Brigad from Burtises, & observing the British to be 
crofsing the Brunx below in Large bodies in ordor to 
attack us, our troops were posted to recive them in a 
very advantagous pofition. the British in there ad- 
vance were twice repulsed, at length however there 
numbers were increased fo that they were able to 
turn our right flank, we lost many men but from 
information after wards recived there was reaJon to 
believe they lost many more then we the rale & Stone 
fence behind which our troops were posted proved 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 65 

as fatal to the British as the rail fence & Grafs hung 
on it did at Charlestown the 17*^ of June 1775 — 

after the affair of the 29^^ of October my time was 
imployed in examining the nature of the country in 
a military point of view in our reere towards North 
Castle, Croton river &c untill about the 5^^ of Novem- 
ber when I reived the follow ordor from the general 
which I Shall take the liberty to transcribe 

Headquarters Whiteplains November 5"' 1776 

Sir 

" you are directed to repair to wrights Mills, & lay 
" out any work there you concive to be necefsary in 
" cafe it is not already don ; from thence you are to 
" proceed towards Croton Bridge, and post the two 
" Regiments of Militia in the most advantagous 
" maner. So as to obstruct the enimies pafsage to 
" that quarter 

" you are alfo to give what directions you think are 
" proper to those regiments, refpecting the breaking 
" up the roads Leading from the North river eastward 

" after this you are to go up to Pekes Kill and di- 
"rect Lashers detachment to brake up the roads 
" there, you are likewise to Lay out what works will 
" be advisable there & ordor them to be Set about " 

Given under my hand at 
"To Colo Putnam Engineer Go WASHINGTON 

November ii*'^ 1776 Gen^ Washington came to 
Pekes kiln, & I went with him to Visit Fort Mont- 
gomery, on the Same day or the next he crossed the 
North river, leveing inllructions with me to afsertain 
the Geography of the country with the roads & pafses 
throug, & about the high lands, a report of which I 
afterwards made with a Sketch of a plan — ^ 

1 Page 129. 



66 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

December S^^ 1776 I wrote to Gen^ Washington in 
forming that I had accepted of a Regiment in the 
Mafsachufetts Line of the continantai army with my 
reafons for fo doing, afsureing him at the Same time 
of my attachment to him, & redinefs to execute any 
Service I Should be ordored on. an extract of his 
answer I Shall Subjoin — 

" ( Buck County neer Coryells 
( Ferry December ly"" 1776 

Dear Sir 

" your Letter of the 8*^ Instent from Peakskill came 
" duely to hand, your acceptence of a Regiment to 
" be raised on continantai eflablishment by the State 
" of Mafsachufetts bay, is quite agreable to me, and 
" I Sincearly wish you fuccefs in recruiting & much 
" honor in Commanding it ; — 

" your profefsions of attachment are extreamly 
" pleasing to Dear Sir your most obedient Servent " 

Go Washington " 

again on the 20*^ of December 1776 in a Letter to 
Congrefs the General has the following, viz " I have 
" alfo to mention that, for want of fome eflablishment 
" in the department of engineers agreable to the 
"plan laid before Congrefs in October Last, Colonel 
" Putnam, who was at the head of it, has quitted and 
" taken a regiment in the State of Mafsachufetts. I 
" know of no other man tolerably well qualified for 
" the conducting of that bufmefs. — 

" None of the french gentlemen whome I have Seen 
" with appointments in that way appear to know 
" anything of the matter, there is one in Philidel- 
" phia, who I am told is clever : but him I have not 
" Seen — " 

after this I repaired to head Quarters to Settle my 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 67 

accounts and then in Janury 1777 returned to Maf- 
sachusetts to recruit my regiment in which I was 
pritty Succefsfull, but as I was not engaged in much 
extra Service this year my memore will be very 
Short, three Companys of the regiment marched from 
Worcester about the first of May, for Peakskill & 
from thence In June were ordored up the North river 
& finally to Fort Ann. I marched with the remainder 
from Worcester the 3*^ of July, at Springfield I re- 
el ved information that those three companies were 
gon up the North river, & alfo ordors to join the 
Brigade in that quarter. I joined the Northen troops 
about 4 mile above Fort Edward, the next day the 
army fell down the river about 4 mile, except my 
regiment which remained three or four days. — this 
gave me an oppertunity to examin Fort Edward & 
compair its prefent State with what it was formally, 
in the year 1 760, the Last time I Saw it when Stand- 
ing, it appeared as it really was a very Urong Forti- 
fortification — (See page 22 [15] of this memore) 
but now alafs its remaining walls & ditch would aford 
no cover in cafe of an attack 

With refpect to the events which took place this 
Campaign on the North river, between the army 
under the imediate Command of General Bugoyne 
& ours under General Gates, I Should Say northing 
of my Self, were it not for Some omisions & mis- 
statements by the historian with refpect to Storming 
the works of the German referve on the Seventh 
of October (See Life of Wafhington, page 257-258 
Voll. 3 

The facts are as follows, in front of those works 
was a cleare open field bounded by a wood at the 
distence of about 120 yards in the Skirt of this 
wood I was posted with the 5*^ & 6**^ regiments of 



68 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

Mafsachufetts — the right & left of those works were 
partly covered by a thin wood & the reer by a thick 
wood, the moment ordors were given to Storm, I 
moved rapidly acrofs the open f.eld & entered the 
works in front, I believe the Same moment that the 
troops of Learneds Brigade, (in which Jacksons regi- 
ment was) entered on the Left & reer. I imedi- 
ately formed the two regiments under my command 
& moved out of thefe works (which were not enclosed 
in the reer) into the wood toward the enemies enclosed 
redoubt, on the right flank of there main encampment 
— General Learned as Soon as he had Secured & 
Sent off all the plunder taken in this Camp, with- 
drew all the other troops without biding me a good 
night. — 

however Some time before morning General Glover 
joined me with three regiments from the right Wing 
of the army 

Marfhals account of this affair is very different from 
mine for Sais he "Jacksons Regiment of Maflachusetts 
" Led by Lieutenant Colonel Brooks, turned the right 
"of the encampment & Stormed the works." No 
mention is made of Brigadier Gen' Learned, who 
Stormed at the Same time with other Corps of his 
Brigade as well as Jacksons. Nor of the two regi- 
ments under my command who Stormed in front, 
again " Brooks maintained the ground he had 
gained " northing can be further from being correct 
then this, for except the two regiments which I com- 
manded I never Saw troops in greater disorder — nor 
did I See any of them formed into ordor for action 
before I moved out with the S**" & 6*^ regiments as 
before mentioned 

Page 6i, in a note from M*^ Gordon, it is Said that 
Nixon Brigade crofsed Saratoga Creek, the fact was 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 69 

that the Brigade was put in moton & marched in 
close collum to the Creek, just as the fog brook away, 
when the whole park of the British artillery opened 
upon us at not more then 500 yards distent, finding 
we were halted I road forward to the head of the Bri- 
gade to enquire why we Stood there in that exposed 
Situation, but Nixon was not to be found & Col° 
Graton who commanded the Leading regiment. Said 
he had no ordors. I then advised crofmg the Creek 
& covering the troops under the bank which was don. 
I then at the request of Col° Stevens, advanced with 
my regiment acrofs the plain, & posted them under 
cover of the bank of an old flockad fort, while Ste- 
vens advanced with two Field pecies to anoy the Brit- 
ish who were attempting to take away Some covered 
wagons Standing about half way between us & the 
British Batery 

we remained in this Sittuation about an hour when 
I had ordors to retreat — I found Nixon neer the 
Church and after Some debate I obtained Leve to 
Send a party & cut away the British Boats which 
Lay above the mouth of the Creek. Captains. Morse 
— Goodale — & Gates, with about 70. or 80 Volun- 
teered them Selves on this Service which they effected 
without any Lofs — And here I Shall Leave on record 
my testimony of Major Godales ^ Caracter as an 
officer & Soldier — being the copy of a Letter I 
wrote to Gen^ Wafhington — 

Massachusetts Hutts, June g^^ 1783 
Sir: — 

" I do my Self the honor to enclofe a Letter I re- 
" cived a few days Sence from Cap* Goodale of the 

1 Nathan Goodale, of Brookfield, Massachusetts, who emigrated to the 
Ohio country in the summer of 1788. 



70 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

"5*'' Maflachufetts regiment — I confefs i feal a con- 
" viction of a neglect of duty in respect of this Gentle- 
*' man. that I have not till this moment taken any 
" meafures to bring his Services to public view, has 
" been oweing to the confidence I had that General 
** Gates would have don it, as the most extreordinary 
"of them were performed under his orders, and as 
"he gave repeated afsurences they Should not be 
" forgotten — I am Sorry that Gen* Gates is now out 
" of Camp, for were he not I Should appeal to him on 
" the Subject but as I am fure So worthy a character, 
" and fuch importent Servises ought not to be buried 
" in oblivian, or pafs unrewarded, I beg your Excel- 
" lencies patiance a few moments while I give a fliort 
" detale of them — 

" Captain Goodie was among the first who em- 
" barked in the common cause in 1775 — he Served 
" that year as a Lieutennant in the Same regiment 
" with me — I had long before known him to be a 
" man of Spirit, & his probity & attention to Service 
" Soon gained him the character of a worthy ofBcer — 

"In 1776 he entered again as a Lieutennant, but 
" Served with me the most of the year as an afsistent 
" engineer & the public are much indebted to him for 
" the dispatch and propriety with which Several of 
" the works about New york were executed — in the 
"dark month of November 1776 M*" Gooale entered 
" Service as a Captain in the regiment under my com- 
" mand & was in the field early the next Spring, but 
" althoe he always discovered a thirst for enterprise 
" yet fortune never gave his genius fair play till Au- 
"gust 1777 — tis well known into what a pannic the 
" country & even the Northern army were thrown on 
" the takeing of Ticonderroga. — 

" When General Gates took command in that quar- 



k-.MOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 71 

ter our tmy Lay at Vansiacks Island,^ and M"" 
Burgoyiie wUh his black wyngs & painted Legions 
Lay at Saratoga, the woods were So infested with 
Savages, that for Some time none of the Scouts 
who wi re Sent out for the purpos of obtaining prif- 
oners, or intiUgence of the enimies Sittuation Suc- 
ceeded in either — ' General Gates being vexed at 
continual disapointments desiered an officer to 
procure him a man that would undertake at all 
hazards to perform this Service. Cap* Goodale 
being Spook to Voluntarily undertook the bufmefs 

under the following ordors from General Gates 
" Sir you are to chuse out one Serjent & Six pri- 
" vates, and proceed with them to the enimies camp, 
" unlefs you loose your life or are captured, & not 
" return untill you obtain a full knowledge of there 
"Situation" 

" Cap* Goodal in his report of this Scout Sais, it 
" was not performed without great feteague, as the 
** party was nr>uch harrased by the Indians which 
" ocationed there being in the woods three days 
** without prov^isions" however he fucceeded be- 
yond expectation, first throwing himfelf between 
there out guards, & there camp where he concealed 
his party untill he examined there Sittuation very 
fully, & then brought of Six prisoners, (which he 
took within there guards) with which he returned 
to Gen^ Gates without any Lofs 

*' this Sucefs induced Gen^ Gates to continue him 
on that kind of Service — a full detail of all the in- 
treagu, & addr^fs which he discovered during the 
remainder of that campaign woul make my Letter 
quite too Long, it may be enough to obferve that 
before the capture of the British army 121 prisoners 

^ Van Schaick's Island. 



72 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTN/M 

" fell into his hands, but as Capt Gooda, is no lefs 
" brave & determined in the open field -a hen opposed 
" to reguler troops then he is artf u'.'. p ■• "s partisan of 
"the woods, I beg your patience vv^hile 1 recite one 
" inllence of this kind — 

"A day or two after M"" Bureoiyne retreated to 
"Saratoga (in a foggy mon. ng) Nixons Brigade 
" were ordored to crofs the Creok which Seperated 
"the two armies. Cap* Goodale with 40 Volunteers 
" went over before the advance gu; rd. he foon fell in 
" with a British Guard of about i.ie Same number, 
"the ground was a clear plain, but the fogg pre- 
" vented there discovering each otJier till they were 
" within a few yards when both parties made ready 
" needy at the Same time. Capt gooL,, e in this pofi- 
" tion referving his fire, advanced imediately upon the 
" enemy, who waited with a defign to draw it from 
" him. but he had the addrefs to intimidate them to 
" in Such a maner by threatning ^ m mediate death 
" any one that Should fire that noi more then two 
" or three obeyed the ordor of there own officer when 
"he gave the word, the event was Siat the oficer & 
"34 of the Guard were made prifoners — 

" Thefe Sir are the Services which Cap* Goodale 
"& his f rinds concive have merittf d more attention 
" then have ben paid to them, and it Laest merit a 
"Majority as much as Major Surr: sers unfijccefsfull 
" command of a boate a few month -. on Lake Cham- 
" plain. — but if the tables are reve> ed & the ill Luck 
"of a brave man Should be the oaly recommenda- 
"tion to promotion, Cap* Goodale I believe has as 
" great pretentions as most men — for he is the un- 
" fortunate officer, who commanded about 40 white 
" men and being joined by about the Same number 
" of Indians fought more then 1000 of the enemy be- 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 73 

"below Voluntines hill in 1778 untill neer two thirds 
" were killed, himfelf & most of the rest made pris- 
" oners — but I mention this not So much to Show 
" his bravery, for he takes no merit from that action 
" he always Lemented the necefsity he was under 
" from the ordors he received to do what he did. in 
** writeing to me on the fubject he Sais " at this time 
" ** a number of brave men were Sacrefised to bad 
" " ordors, but as they were not my ordors, I hope 
" "the candid do not cenfure me " 

" having- Stated thefe fact, I beg" leve to request 
" your Excellency will Lay them before Congrefs " &c 

General Washington forwarded my Letter to the 
Secretary of War, but as about this time Congrefs 
came to a refolution to raise the Rank of all officers 
one grade who had not ben promoted Sence there 
entrence in to Service the First of January 1777 Ma- 
jor Goodale recived promotion with the rest, & thus 
never had that justice don him, which he So highly 
Merited — 

the worthy Kusesko the famous Polander was at 
the head of the Engineer department in Gates army ; 
we advised togather with refpect to the works necef- 
sery to be thrown up for the defence of the Camp but 
he had the over Sight in executing them. I therefore 
have no claim to extra Service this year, nor did I 
recive any perticuler notice from Gen^ Gates, after 
the capture of Burgoyne Nixsons Brigade went into 
Winter Quarters at Albany — 

1778 Some time in January (I believe) I was re- 
quested by Gen^ Putnam & Govenor Clinton to re- 
pair to West point to Superintend the Fortifications 
proposed to be erected there, my answer was that I 
could not consent to go unlefs my regiment went 



74 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

with me, or that I Should not leave my regiment 
without the exprefs orders of Gen^ Wafhington. — 

there had ben a French Engineer Sent to Lay out 
& Superintend the fortifications proposed to be 
erected at West point, but his plans were intirely 
disapproved of by Govenor Clinton & the General 
officers, and hence arofe the confusion & delay men- 
tioned in General Walhingtons Letter to Congrefs of 
the if^ of March 1778 — 

Pg^y jst ijjS I succeeded to the command of the 
troops in the Northen deparpment by the departure 
of Col° Graton to Vifit his family, the ordors which 
he left me were no other then a copy of the ordors 
of Congrefs directing the commanding officer at 
Albany, to forward Stores of Various kinds to Co,os — 
five regiments befide Nixons Brigade were to hold 
them Selves in readinefs for the invasion of Cannada, 
& all to Randezvouse at Onion river by the 20*^ of 
February, except Col° Bedles regiment who was to 
March by the way of Co,os — & Sixty days provisions 
for three thousand men. I did not thank Col° Graton 
for Sliping his neck out of this difficulty. I was Sen- 
sible it was totaly impolsible, with naked men in a 
deep Snow to acomplish any part of the plan, how- 
ever as far as depended on me it was my duty to 
obay ordors — Col*^ Hazen who was appointed Q — r 
M. G Soon arrived, he required a detachment to Set 
out imediately to open a roade. I denied him on the 
ground of the depth of the Snow, the inclemency of 
the Season & the destitute Situation of the men with 
refpect to Cloathing 

about the 10^^ or 12*'' of February, the Marquis, de 
la Fayette arrived, who was to command the expidi- 
tion, togather with the Baron de Kalb — (Gen^ Con- 
way had arrived before them) 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 75 

on the arrivel of the Marques the troops were re- 
viewed by him, & everery enquiery made which he 
thought necefsary to form an opinion on the Subject, 

& finally the expidition was Laid afide the 

" plan " Sais Marfhal " was matured in Congrefs, and 
" the board of war, without confulting the Commander 
" in chief " See Voll — 3 page 345 — 

Sometime in the month of March I was ordored 
with my regiment down to west point, and when I 
came there I found the object to be what I Suspected, 
viz to Lay out and Superintend the Fortifications 
necefary to be conflructed there for the defence of 
that importent post — 

General M'^Dougal arrived there about the Same 

time to take the command my French Brother 

Engineer, whith whome Govenor Clinton & General 
Putnam had Quereled was gon & his Fort marked 
out on the extreme point next the river & commanded 
by the adjacent high ground was abandoned, a Bat- 
tery at this place to anoy the Shiping in case they 
Should come up & attempt to turn the point & force 
the Boom was Judged Sufficient, and for a defence 
against an attack by Land, a number of Small works 
or chain of Forts & Redouts, were Laid out on the 
high grounds bordering the plain, which forms the 
point, one in perticuler built by my own regiment & 
by Gen^ M^'Dougal named Fort Putnam — is on a 
high hill, or rather rock, which commands the plane 
& point, the rock on the Side next the point is not 
difficult to assend but on the other Side where the 
fort Stands the rock is 50 feet perpendiculer. this 
Fort was after wards much improved & is capable of 
being made a very Strong place 

I remained at West point untill Some time in June, 
when I joined the army under Genera Gates neer 



76 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

Peekskill — this army formed a juntion with the grand 

army at White plains, the 23*^ or 24*^ of July 

While the army Lay at White plains I did no extra 
duty except that by the ordor of the Commander in 
Chief I explored the country about Fradericfburgh 
Quaker hill &c &c 

the army left White plains the 16*^ of September & 
the Several divisions took different pofitions, that of 
Gen^ Gates, in which I was were posted at Danbury 
in Connecticut, Nixfons Brigade Lay for a time at 
Woodbury. I was directed by Gen^ M'^Dougal to ex- 
amin the Roads & pafses from New Millford Leading 
eastward which having attended to in part I made 
my report to him. Soon after I recived the following 
Letter from Gen^ Wafhington — 

"Head Quarters 9"" of October 1778 
Sir 

" I have perused your report of this day to Gen^ 
" M^Dougal you will continue your examination of 
'* the different roads and reconnoiter the most con- 
" venient halting places on each alowing the intervel 
** of one days march from one to the other, & make 
** report of the whole to me, that I may be enabled 
" to regulate the different routs — 

" The road towards Litchfield offers from your ac- 
** count of it to be worth attention, & Col° Hale 

** Should be directed to proceed on it accordingly 

I am Sir 

Your obedient Servent 
G' Washington 
Col° Putnam 

the following is the report I made on that oca- 
tion 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 77 

Fredericksburgh October 15"" 1778 
" Dear General 

" Imediately after writeing to Gen^ M'^Dougal 
" on the 9*^ inflent— I Set out for Major Grosvenors 
" party on the road to Farmington (by Woodbury, 
•«& Waterbury, & returned yesterday to New Mil- 
** ford, (by Litchfield) where Col^ Hale delivered me 
"your Excellencies Letter of the 9^^ instent had I 
" recived this Letter before I Sect out from L* Col« 
"Hales Camp I Should have ben more perticuler 
"in Noteing the most convenient halting places — 
" however I did attend to this circumstance fo much, 
"that I believe the following report has no errors 
" meterial to the Service — 

"From the Park, by head Quarters, to Deacon 
"Galers 13 mile, good Stage for encamping. Wood, 
" Water, & Forage — 

"then to Shawam river 12 mile, pafsing Newmilford 
" at 7 convenient for halting &c — 
"then to Woodbury 9 mile, no fupply of forrage 
" between 
"then to Waterbury 10 mile, very Little forage 

" between. 

"From thence to Southington Meeting house 11 
" mile. Forage, and I believe wood in the neighbor- 
" hood of this place. 

" then to Farmington 9 mile wood Water & forag 
" plenty before entering the town. — on this rout the 
" road is very good 20. mile to New Milford the hills 
" very few & of easy assent — from thence to Wood- 
"bury very hilly but otherwise tollerable — the 
" Shawam river is about 40 feet wide, has no bridge, 
" & in Low water the ford is rather deep, and sence 
" the Late rains would wet the bagage in wagons. 
" I am told there is a bridge about one mile above 



78 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

pafsable only for footmen — from Woodbury to wa- 
terbury, the road is ruf?, but not very wet — from 
thence 7 mile is rockey & wet. on this part I Left 
Major Grosvenor at work on monday Last, (from 
whence he will repair the road back again to New 
Milford) the roads from this to Farmington need- 
ing no repair, Major Grosvenor within two or three 
days will be at Shawam river, — 

I would fuggest whether it will not be best to build 
a Bridge at that place, which would be Soon 
effected, provided the town of Woodbury were 
requested to afsist with ox teams and timber, and 
eight or ten carpenters ordored to join Major gros- 
venor — 

" From New Milford by Litchfield to Farmington, 
Wood, water, & forage may be had in any place, 
within a mile or two one way or the other, untill 
you are past Herington within 12 mile of Farm- 
ington. part of this 12 mile is very bad road, 
needs much repair, and the meadows going into 
Farmington utterly impafsabell for footmen at this 
time on account of the Late freshet, So that in the 
present Sittuation the rout by Woodbury to Farm- 
ington is much the best — 

" If a Collum Should march by Springfield, the 
best rout for carrages is by New Mlford, Litch- 
field, Herington, Symsbury, Suffield & then Spring- 
field — 

on this rout. Mount Tom, 6 mile on this side Litch- 
field is the only hill that is very bad — 

" L* Col° Hale is going on to repair the road from 
New Milford to Litchfield, which will take him five 
or Six days — 

" The party that was ordored by Bulls Iron works 
" have don very Little — 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 79 

" If CoI° Hale is to repair the road from Litch- 
" field to Farmington, or to Symsbury, the rout to 
"Springfield, it will be necessary he Should have 
" further ordors, otherwise I prefume he will Stop at 
" Litchfield — 
'* Gen^ Washington I am &c 

By General Wafhingtons Letter to Congrefs of the 
27th Qf November 1778 it appears that the Several 
cantoonments of the Army for the Winter had ben 
fixed on, — previous to this at the request of General 
Greene the Qr-M General I made a tour with him 
for that purpos through Several diflricts, perticulerly 
about the North river &c — 

Late in December Gen' Nixsons Brigade arrived 
on the ground afsigned them for Hutting in the high- 
lands, on the road from Peaks kill to Fishkill — 

Gen' Nixson Left the Brigade while at Woodbury 
in Connecticut & Col° Graton Soon after our arrivel 
on the Ground for Hutting, So that as Last Winter 
the command of the Brigade fell again on me 
1779 — about the First of February, the Brigade were 
ordered to Leave there Quarters. Gratons tok post 
at Crom pond, Nixons at Vanplanks point. I was 
ordered down to Colla-beargh, with my regiment, 
to build a Bridge over Croton river, the Command 
was agreable, & the troops well accommodated in 
Houfes — but it was extra Sevice when the work 
was compleated, about the Letter end of March I 
had Leave of absence to visit my Family which 
I had not Seen Sence December 1777 

June i^' 1779 Fort Fayette onVanplank point was 
taken by the British. See — Marlhalls L of W Voll 
4 page 58. 
I returned to Camp Some time in June & in a few 



8o MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

days after recived the follow orders from Gen^ 
Heath. — 

" Highlands Danforths House June 29"" 1779 
"Sir 

I am very defirous if pofsible to obtain the exact 
** lituation of the enemy on Vanplanks point & of the 
"Vessels in the river, as you are well acquainted 
" with the Ground on both Sides of the river, I would 
" request that you would to morrow, reconnoiter the 
" enemy with due precaution, and make Such remarks 
"as you may think proper, you will take a part, or 
" the whole of your own Light Company as a guard.^ 
" your knowledge of the country & abilities render 
"perticular inflructions unnecefsary" &c &c 

yours &c 

W^ Heath 
Colo Putnam 

to execute this ordor I had to March through the 
mountains neer 20 miles in an unfrequented rout to 
prevent discovery & lie concealed in the woods untill 
I had effected the object which was effected but re- 
port has ben lost or mislade, that is the Copy — 

" Colonel Putnam has permifsion to take as many 
"men as he chueses of his own regiment, or any 
" other for Special Services — and to pafs all 
"Guards — 
"July 9*11 1779— G' Washington 

The Service here intended was to examin the eni- 
mies works on Vanplanks point — I Set out from 

1 Omitted in General Putnam's transcription : — 

" which you will request of General Nixon, and proceed down the River in 
Boats. If you think the best view can be had from the Dunderberg, you 
will land at or near Fort Montgommery — " 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 8i 

conllitution Island, opposit West point, in the after- 
noon of the lo*^ with 50 men & reached Continantal 
Village about Sunset and after dark I proceeded by 
a back road to a point where I concealed my party 
in the woods, intending the next morning to examin 
the works, but Soon after we halted a very heavy rain 
Set in which continued all night, & all the next day. 
the morning after we concealed our Selves in a barn, 
the next morning July 12^'^ was fair but our arms and 
amunition were So wet that they were intirely ule- 
lefs. I retired to a deserted house, were we built 
fires, brook up our Catrages dryed what powder was 
not wholey destryed, & cleaned our arms, many of 
which we were obliged to unbritch. — 

We were in this disarmed & defencelefs State from 
early in the morning untill the midle of the after- 
noon. 

apprehensive the enemy might have got know- 
ledge from Some of the inhabitence, who probably 
must have Seen us I marched the party directly 
along the great road (in Sight of the enmies block 
house) towards Peaks kill, and when at a convenient 
place I turned into the woods again, where I con- 
cealed the party untill toward morning, when I took 
them onto the Ground neer to where I posted myfelf 
to take obfervations, which having compleated I re- 
turned July 13*'^ to Camp — 

July 14^^ I went up to New Windsor & made my 
report to General Wafhington ^ — 

Marfhall in his L. of W. Voll 4 — page 70 — tells 
us that *' Two Brigades under the command of 
" Gen^ M^'Dougal had ben ordored to aproach the 
" enimy on the east Side of the rver " this ordor to 
M^'Dougal, if ever given, I prefume was given on the 

1 Page 137. 



./ 



82 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

morning of the 15^^, for the following reafons. when 
I waited on General Washington on the 14*^, to make 
my report, he informed me that he had relinquished 
the idea of a real attac on Vanplanks point at the 
fame time it was to be made on Stoney point, but 
intended the attac on that point Should be only a 
faint, and for that purpos he had ordored Nixons 
Brigade to march that day to Continanntal village — 
he then inllructed me to take as many men from that 
Brigade as I thought proper, & make my arrange- 
ments to be on the Ground ready to fire on the 
enemy at Vanplanks point the moment I found 
Wayne had attacked Stoney point, at the Same time 
the General informed me that no one kew of the in- 
tended attack but those who had the charge of its 
execution, that but one of his own family was let into 
the Secret — I had not the Lest doubt, but the Bri- 
gade had Marched that afternoon but when I re- 
turned to the camp (after Sunset) I found them Still 
there, on enquiring the reason why they had not 
Marched, Nixon told me he had obtained leave from 
Gen^ M'^Dougal to delay his march, & on enquiring 
what time he would march in the Morning he in- 
formed me he Should Send on a Guard of 50 men 
according to his engagement to Gen^ M^'Dougal. I 
was excedingly perplexed to know how to act. on 
the whole I told him I was charged with executing 
a Special Service & requested him to increase the 
detachment to 100 men under the command of a 
Feld officer, & that they Should march very early in 
the Morning to continantal Village — 

July 15*^ General Wafhington came down early 
to West point, & Col° Tillman came to the Island to 
enquire why Nixsons Brigade had not marched the 
day before. I gave him an account of what I had 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 83 

ben don, & Soon after Set out after the detachment 
which had marched under the command of L* Colo- 
nel Smith : I remained at the village untill night, & 
then made Such arrangments as I thought proper 
to fulfill the intention of the General. — as Soon as 
I Saw that Wayne had commenced his attack on 
Stoney point we fiered on there out Block house, & 
guard at the creek & thus alarmed the Garrison on 
Vanplanks point, which was the only object contem- 
plated for that night. 

July 16*^ I remaind this morning in full view 
of the enimy untill eight or nine oClock — when I 
marched up to continantal village, where in the 
course of the day, Nixsons & Pattesons Brigades 
arrived but without there Feld peaces artillerymen 
or fo much as an ax or Spade, or any ordors what 
they were to do — about 10 oClock at night General 
How arrived, to take the command, he called on me 
for information. I told him the troops had brought 
no artillery with them, which in my opinion was 
Necefsary on account of a Block which Stood in the 
way of our approach to the main work on the point. 
Nor had they brought any axes, or entrenching tools, 
& that it was impofsible to crofs the Creek without 
rebuildinging the bridge which had ben deflroyed — 

July 1 7^^ Sometime about the midle of the day two 
twelve pounders arrived, and a few axes were col- 
lected I believe from the inhabitents and a Bridge 
was begun, or proposed to be bugun. I cannot Say 
how far the preparations had advanced before we 
were allaramed by the advance of a British party by 
the way of Croton, on which we retreated — 

These are the facts which fell within my own 
knowledge refpecting the movements made against 
Vanplanks point. — Marlhalls reprefentation of the 



84 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

delays, implies a heavey cenfure on Gen* M^'Dougal. 
for acording to him, Gen* M^'Dougal was perfonally 
with two Brigades " ordered to approach the enimy 
" on the east Side of the river So as to be in readi- 
"nefs to attempt the work on Vanplank^" and that 
in this Sittuation Wayns Mefsenger was to find him, 
and again that " Gen* How was ordored to take the 
command of Gen* M'^Dougal's detachment " — now 
as Gen* McDougal Never did March with the detach- 
ment, and General How was afterwards (acording 
to Marfhall) ordored to take the command, it fol- 
lows, if this Statement be correct General McDougal 
must be highly cenfuerable, but I believe this to be 

very incorrect I believe Gen* M'^Dougal never 

was ordored to march with those two Brigades, my 
reafons are these, first I know him So well that had 
he ben ordored to March, he certainly would have 
obeyed — again had he disobeyed Such an ordor, no 
doubt but he would have ben arested, & we Should 
have haeard of it 

But what is much more, it must be remembred that 
Gen* M'^Dougal was at that very time Commander in 
chief of West point and its dependencies — and can 
any man having any knowledge of that place & of 
the high importence with which it was confidered by 
the Commander in chief believe that he would have 
ordored Gen* M'^Dougal to leave that importent post 
& March to attack Van plank point. I believe not 
— General Wafhington could not commit Such an 
error 

I Supose the fact to be this, that on the morning 
of the 15**" when General Wafhington came down 
to West point, as before noted, he ordored Gene* 
M'^Dougal to detach, Nixsons & Patterfons Brigades 
to the continental villege, & that General Wafhington 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 85 

expected they would reach it that Same evening, 
which I believe they did not however they must 
have left the point on the is^^ or they could not have 
arrived at the villege So Soon as they did on the 
i6th— 

but why they came without any artillery, axes, & 
intrenching tools, or any Comding General, or ordors 
how to employ them felves are qustions I am not able 
to Solve — 

in a few days afthe this businefs was over I was 
apointed to the Command of a Regiment of Light 
Infentry. the whole corps consisted of 4 Regiments 
of 2 Battallions each, the whole Commanded by 
General Wayne — in this Corps I continued untill the 
army Went into Winter Quarters the December fol- 
lowing, indeed our Corps did not break up camp 
untill January 1 780 — when my regiment had a very 
tedious march from Second river neer Newark in the 
Jerfies to there Quarters at West point, the High 
Lands &c 

I was ordered on but two peaces of extra Ser- 
vice during my continuence in the Light infentry 
Corps — 

one was in august, by ordor of General Wafhing- 
ton, to erect a Batterry at the place of old Fort 
Gommery for the anouence of Ships coming up the 
river — & 

December 14*^^ I made a tour by ordor of Gen' 
Wayne to South Amboy,^ having an officer & eight 
Dragoons to attend me, for the purpos of reconnoi- 
tering a British flieat that Lay there, and to afsertain 
if pofsible the time of there Sailing this was a tedious 
Cold jorney & Somwhat arduous, we were obliged 
to return by the way of New Brunswck — 

1 Page 141. 



86 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

1780 January — Some time about the Last of this 
month, I had leve of absence to vifit my family, and 
returned to Camp about the midle of April, and I 
find by my corispondenc with General How, that I 
was on command about Croton river &c as early as 
the 6*^ of May, & continued out to the 27*^ of July — 
this kind of Servis, in one Sence is Not properly etra, 
because every officer is Liable to be detailed, to per- 
form it as a tour of duty, however in another Sence 
it may properly be called Extra, becaus it is far mre 
feteauging Slavish, hazardous, & requiring much 
Greater vigilence, then the common rotean duty 
performed with the army, besides the commanding 
officer of Such a detachment is Generally if not al- 
ways appointed Specially to his command, by the 
General, & hence it is always elleamed very honora- 
ble, how far I discharged my duty while on this 
Service, with honor to my Self & Satisfaction to my 
General, the Letters between General How & my Self 
will Show, if confiilted ^ 

about the time I was releaved, the Grand army 
crofsed the North river & encamped first at orang- 
town, then at the English Neighbourhood, &c & — 

about the first of October I had Leave of abfence 
& did not join the army again untill the end of Cam- 
paign viz. about the first of December. — 

1781-July 6*^* The French army under count De 
Rochambeau formed a juntion with American army, 
Neer Dobbs Ferry — 

august 19*^ the French army, & that part of the 
American army distinated for Virginia commenced 
crofsing the North river and on the 21st Gen^ 
Heath issued ordors of which the following are ex- 
tracts — 

1 Pages 147-177. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 87 

"Head Quarters neer Youngs, august 21^' 1781 

" three hundred rank & file, Infentry, properly of- 
*' fiered Col° Sheldens Legionary Corps, Cap* Sack- 
" ets & Capt Ridium [ ? ] Companies, of New York 
" Li vies, are to form a detachment to cover this part 
" of the country, in front of the Army — Col° Putnam 
"will take the command of this detachment untill 
" further orders — 

" Captain Donal, will give one of his three pound- 
" ers futably Maned, for Col° Putnams detachment " 

on this command I was keept out, untill Late in Oc- 
tober or the begining of November the persise time 
I cannot alTertain, as I keept no journal, & a part of 
the Letters which pafsed between us being Lost, how- 
ever enough remain on file to Show Somthing of the 
nature of the Service I was performing, & how far 
my conduct was approved by Gen^ Heath ^ — 

while I was on this Command I was honored with 
A Letter from Gen^ Waterbury of which the following 

are Extracts — 

" HoRSENECK September 13th 1781 

" Sir. after my complements I would inform you, that 
" I have recived ordors from his Excellency Govenor 
" Trumbull, to build Some places of Security for my 
" troops to winter in, and at the Same time he would 
" recommend it to me, to ask the favor of you to Lend 
" your afsistence in counceling with me where it is 
"best to build," &c 2 

1 Pages 183-198. 

2 Omitted in General Putnam's transcription : — 

" Sd place of Security for the Winter that Shall Sarve Best for the publick 
Good and for the Security of the troops in General : & you may Be asured 
I Shold take It as a Great favour If I Cold obtain your Judgement in the 
mator and hope I Shall have the pleasure of Seeing you in a Day or to If 
Nothing Extraordinary prevents — and am Dear Coll With Great Esteme 

Yours to Sarve 

David Waterbury — 

Coll PUTMAN — " 



88 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

I made the tour agreable request &c — 
A few days after I joined my regiment at West point, 
I recived the following ordor from Gen^ M^'Dougal — 

West point November 14*11 1781 — 
Sir 

" General M^Dougal requests you to repair to 
"Stoney & Vanplanks points, and examin minutly 
"into there State in every refpect — the Sentry boxes 
"at those advanced works Should be deflroyed — 
*• every building within cannon range of either of 
" those posts, and any cover that would aford a Lodg- 
" ment for the enemy must be taken down & removed 
" before you leave the ground. 

"you will please to have the Garisons paraded, 
" and note every person and the regiments they be- 
" long to, unfit for this Service " ^ &c 

This was the Last, Extra Military Service which I 
was ordored on, that I Shall mention 

But there were Some other Services which I was 
called too which tend to Show in what estemation 
my character was, with my Brother officers in Gen- 
eral, in other refpects not Military which I Shall now 
take Notice of 

1 Omitted in General Putnam's transcription : — 

" Eftimate what quantity of wood will be necefsary for each Garrison, 
making a proper allowance for cooking in the trenches, from the i" of 
December, to the i" of April next. Determin what number of fireplaces 
will be necefsary for the Ferry men, and the Q : Master M' Kiree [?] , 
and calculate for wood, for them upon the fame fcale as you do for the 
Garrisons — If there fhould be a furplufage of wood at the Posts give an 
order on them, to the Q. Master for the fupply of his department — 

Report to the General on your return what ever fhall appear necefsary 
By command of Gen' M°Dougall 
Col" Putnam E. Haskell 

Di A. G " 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 89 

" At a meeting of the field & other officers in Gen^ 
" Nixons Brigade September 9**^ 1778 

" Col° Rufus Putnam was Unanimously chosen 
" Representative to meet in a general convention of 
" the army, to State our Grievances to the honorable 
" continantal Congrefs, & endevor to obtain redrefs 
" of the Same 

" per order of the Meeting 

" Thomas Nixon Co1° Moderator 

My Letter on file, to Deacon Davis of Boston dated 
March 21 1779, will Show what exertions I made to 
prevent a Muteny breaking out in the Mafsachufetts 
Line, and claim on the State, in behalf of the Soldier 
for relief — in that letter is inclosed the Muteny ar- 
ticls. the time fixed for the Brigade to march of in a 
body was the 10*^ of February, befides the meafures 
taken with them as detailed in my Letter to Deacon 
Davis, I took the further precaution to make a con- 
fidential communiation of the afair to Gen* M'^Dougal 
& made a request that he would ordor the Several 
regiments, each to occupy a Seperate post toward 
New york. this request he complied with, and thus 
it was put out of there power to execute the plan 
they had formed, or at lest not So well as they 
might have don had they remained to gather in there 
Hutts — 

In page 115 [86] I have mentioned that in January 
1780 I had leve of absence & returned in April to 
Camp — 

in this period a Large portion of my time was 
Spent in Boston, Soliciting the General Court to grant 
Some releaf to the Mafachufetts line of the army, and 
efpecially for the oficers, prifoners on Long Island, 
for them a Small releif was obtained, for which I had 



90 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

there thanks for the afsistence I had given there 
agent — See Col'' Thompsons Letter dated at Long 
Island May i — 1 780 ^ — but for the troops in General 
northing was don to purpos — or that gave the Com- 
mitte of the army Satisfaction — , therefore neere the 
clofe of the year the Line of ofhcers united in apoint- 
ing a Committe to repair to Boston, & lay there 
Complaints before the General afsembly.^ they alfo 
apointed a Committe to inflruct them — thefe inftruc- 
tions Shew fo fully the claims of the army at that time, 
I Shall record them, that posterity may Judge — they 
are as follows — 

** Gentlemen 

" having chosen you to appear in our 
'* behalf at the General Afsembly of Mafsachusetts 
" Bay, with them to Settle our accounts of pay 
" cloathing &c we think it equally our duty as it is 
" our right, to Give you Inflructions refpecting the 
" tranfactions there to be had : This we do, not 
" because we doubt your understanding abilities or 
" Integrity, our choice of you fully evinces the con- 
" trary of that, but for your own fatisf action & justi- 
" fication = 

" The Settlement made with us the Last year, we 
" apprehend to be Merely a partial one not only as 
"to the fettlement itfelf, but the mode in which it 
" was don, as it was not consented to by our then 
" Committe — you will therefore have that to revise 
" — But there are certain preliminaries to be fettled 
" before you proceed even to that, which we recom- 
" mend and enjoin on you, as conditions without 
" which you proceed not on the bulinefs committed 
" to you — 

1 Page 146. 2 Page 182. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 91 

I St the town bounties given to the Soldiers, are 
not to be deducted from there pay and where this 
is or has been don Said bounty must be refunded, 
this is just if we only limply confider they were 
promised their pay, & there bounty was given them 
as an encouragement to Inlist, not as a part of there 

pay advanced 

2^^ The time of reciving our pay, not the time when 
it became due (monthly) must be the period at 
which the rate of depreciation must be ditermined, 
& your calculations made accordingly. This is just 
& reafonable, otherwise we Loose by those delay of 
payments, which our perfeverance in the cause of 
our country forbad us to complain of & resent — 
3^ the extra pay allowed to officers in the Line 
doing duty on the flaflf, must be made good to them, 
upon the Same principles, & for the Same reasons, 
as there pay as officers in the line only ; where 
it may be disputed whether the Quantum of extra 
pay refpectively allowed fuch officers was ment to 
be good money, you may have recourse to the Late 
refolves of Congrefs refpecting Said extra pay, 
which will be to you an indiputable guide — Thefe 
preliminaries thus Settled you will proceed to ad- 
justing an equel Scale of Depreciation for the pre- 
fent year — You will pointedly reprefent to the 
afsembly the Great inconveniences & Lofses, 
accrued, & accruing to great part, nay almost the 
whole of both officers & Soldiers from the notes 
we recived the Last year, not being negotiable in 
any maner, for any kind of property, on which 
account many were for want of almost every kind 
of cloathing, obliged to Sell there notes at a very 
great discount, from there nominal value when 
given : and by this representation you will endevor 



92 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

" to procure an act that will make the notes already, 
" and those that fhall be given a tender for the con- 
" fiscated estates when Sold, or that will in Some way 
" equally be benificial to the army & the State, make 
"them of fuch value that those who wish it may 
** convert them into current money without Lofs — 

** You will not on any account agree to our being 
" charged with any articles of cloathing, or indeed 
" anything else recived from the continant, except 
"our monthly pay, unlefs we are credited, for all 
" deficiences of fubsistence, rations & parts of rations 
" — nor will you agree to avarage the charge of 
" cloathing delivered by the Hate for the Several re- 
" giments, but each officer must be charged for the 
"cloathing himself recived. and in case any officer 
" has drawn cloathing he has not delivered acording 
" to the design for which he drew it, he alone must 
" be acountable, except in cafes where fuch officer 
" makes it appear, that the Lofs of any in his hands 
" was inevitable, then, & then only, we agree to have 
" fuch Lofs averaged. 

" You will alfo endever to fall upon Such plan, or 
" mode of delivering cloathing, to the officers as will 
" prevent an unequel & partial delivery, to perticuler 
" regiments, or individuals, who may by there Local 
" Sittuation have it in there power to make the earli- 
" est application. — 

" A like equel & just plan refpecting both the 
"delivery and charge of the Small Hores, you will 
" do well to agree on — 

" Thefe general principles we think fufficient to di- 
" rect you in the whole of the bufmefs you have ben 
" pleased to undertake in our behalf, a bufinefs we 
" know to be attended with much difficulty & trouble : 
" but of this you may be afsured, that the greater the 




KKY TO RUFUS PUTNAM'S MA 
KIVK.l 




LOWKR MISSISSIPPI 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 93 

" Sacrefise you make of your private ease & pleafure 
" to ferve us the Greater will be our obligations to 
" you — 

" Confideing thoroughly in your Good will & abili- 
" ties to discharge the duties required of you, we leve 
*' to you to deduce from thefe general principles, rules 
'* for your more perticuler conduct not doubting but 
** the whole you Shall agree to will give us ample 
" Satisfaction — 

" West point Jan^ i^* " Signed by ordor of the 

1 781. officers of the Mafachufetts 

To the Hon^^ Brigadier Line " 

Gen^ Glover J. Graton Coll — 

Col° Putnam Sam^^ Darby Maj"" 

L* Col° C^ Brooks S : Larned 

Col° H Jackson — T Ewards 



o 
U 



In the profecution of this bufmefs, I left West point 
Sometime in January 1781. Spent most of the winter 
& part of the Spring in Boston on the objects of our 
Mifsion — 

on our arrival in Boston the alarm given, by the 
Grand Mutany in the Pennfylvania & New Jerfey 
Lines, had Such a powerfull effect on the minds of 
the General afsembly, that they foon agreed and in a 
fhort time actually Sent on Specia to the amount of 
one, or two, months pay for there line of the army, 
this was a great releaf to officers & Solders, what 
further fiiccefs we had I do nit recollect, nor it is 
meterial to my purpos, my object being to leave an 
evidence of my Handing with my Brother officers in 
general 

1782 the State of New york having applied to 
Congrefs for pay for the Forrage confumed by the 
allied army, in West Chester county while encamped 



94 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

neer Doobs Ferry in 1781, I was appointed one of 
the Commifioners on that bufinefs I find by the papers 
on file that we were appointed in Februar 14*^ 1782, 
& our report is dated July 2'^. this was not mihtary 
Service, but it was a bufinefs of great dificulty to in- 
vestigate — & Shewes in what light my character 
then flood with Gen' Heath & Govenor Clinton, who 

made the appointment 

Some time after the bufmef of the West Chester 
forrage was fettled I had Leave of absence, & while 
at home, in September or octobe I Learned that 
Congrefs had it in contemplation to reduce the army. 
I was grown tiered of the Service, for besides my 
fealings in common with my Brother officers, as de- 
pected by Gen' Wafhing in his confidential Letter to 
the Secretary of War See M — L — W Voll 4 page 
524, 1 Say besides thefe circumflancs in common with 
others — the Mafsachufetts Line had ben ill treated 
with refpect to the Brigadier Generals of the line not 
being appointed as the vacancies to place Gen' 
Learned religned Soon after the capture of Burgoyn, 
& Nixon in 1 780 Neither of which vacancies had ben 
filled. Graton & Shepard Ranked before me, there- 
fore I had no right to complain for my felf, & from 
there past conduct I had no reafon to expect they 
would afsert there claim, or refigne hence I con- 
cluded to quit the Service, if I could with honor — & 
in purfuence of this refolution, I made an agreement 
with L* Co' Commdant Brooks, one of the youngest 
officer in the Line, commanding a regiment, & who 
of course expected to be deranged, that he Should 
remain, & I Should retire, which mode of exchange 
had ben heretofore alowed. under thefe circumflance 
I did not return to the army untill after I recived the 

following Letters viz. Extract from Brigadier 

Gen' Patterfon Letter 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 95 

" Camp New Windsor December ist 1782 — 
" Dear Sir 

" your favor of the 25*^ ultimo by Colo Brooks was 
" duely recived, and althoe I can concive the fittuation 
"and diagreable circumllances of your family oca- 
" tioned by your continuence in the army, yet I can- 
" not but regreat your refolution to retire, and hope 
" on the receipt of this with the enclosure, you will 
"alter your determinations — 

" your Letters on the fubject of retiring have ben 
" handed to the Commander in chief, but they were 
" not addrefsed to him, and prior to the receipt of 
** them the refolve of Congrefs enclosed arrived, it is 
" impofsible you can be deranged except by taking 
" the Heps pointed out in the refolution &c, perticulerly 
" when you are informed that on the 29*^ ultimo our 
"friend Col*' Shepard refigned, and in a few days 
" purpofes to Leave camp, this procedure of his, was 
" in consequence of his being disappointment in his 
" expetation of preferment — 

"you will be considered as an officer in the Line 
"untill we recive further directions from the Com- 
" mander in chief, the fooner you fignefy your wishes 
" &c, the better, for it is fupposed that if you perlist 
" in your first refolution, L* Col Smith who has gon 
"^home, will be called for again, to reafsume his 
" former command. — 

"Col° Shepards retireing by permifsion of his 
" Exelency, you percive gives Col° Brooks his regi- 
"ment agahi, & Leaves no vacancy, unlefs you 
" return, which cannot be filled at Lest not untill the 
"first of Jan^ next, — vide the refolve of Congrefs 
"dated 20^^ November 1782 — " ^ 

1 Omitted in General Putnam's transcription : — 

" I dare say you will find no difficulty in obtaining leave of absence for 



96 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 
Letter from General Wafhington — follows — 

"Head Quarters New burgh December 2^ 1782 

Sir 

" I am informed you have had thoughts of retire- 
' ing from fervice, upon the arangement which is to 

* take place on the i^* of January — but as there will 
' be no opening for it, unlefs your reafons fhould be 
' very urgent indeed, and as there are Some prof- 
' pects which may prehaps make your continuing 
' more eligible then was expected, I have thought 

* proper to mention the circumflances, in expectation 
' they might have Some influence in inducing you to 

* remain in the army. 

" Col° Shepard having retired, and Brigadier Gen^ 
' Patterfon being appointed to the command of the 

* i^* Brigade, you will of consequence be the Sec- 
' ond Col° in the Line, and have the command of 
'a Brigade, while the troops continue Brigaded as 
*at prefent — 

"belides I consider it expedient you Should be 
'acquainted, that the question is yet before Con- 
' grels whether there Ihall be two Brigadiers ap- 
' pointed in the Mafsachufetts Line. — Should you 
' continue you will be a candidate for this promotion 

the winter, as Lt. Colo. Newhall and Major Ashley were both at home 
the last year. 

" General Washington, I suppose, will write you by this conveyance, 
and Colo. Brooks also. 

" I cannot supply you with any intelligence — only the enemy in N York 
seem to be very busy; persons who know more of their movements than 
me, think an evacuation of that city not far off. 

" Our hutts, which are allowed on all hands to be the best erected this 
war, will be ready for the reception of the men in a week — 

" I am, dear Colonel, with the most fincere esteem and unalterable 
regard, 

your friend and humble fervant, 

J Paterson. 
Col" Putnam" 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 97 

" — the Secretary at war is of opinion the promotion 
" will foon take place ; whether it will or not I am 
" not able to ditermin, and therefore I would not flat- 
** ter you too much with expectations, which it is not 
'* in my power to Gratify. — but if upon a view of 
"thefe circumflances & prospects the Hate of your 
"afairs will permit you to continue in the prefent 
" arrangment, (which must be compleated imediately) 
" it will be very ageable to Sir, 

your Mofl obedient Servent 

G^ Washington 
Col° Putnam 

on the receipt of thefe Letters, I repaired ime- 
diately to Camp, but being ditermined not to live in 
a fort of disgrace, as Graton & Shepard had, by Con- 
grefs neglecting to promote them when the vacancies 
took place — , I wrote the following Letter to Gen^ 
Walhington 

"Camp neer New Windsor December 17**^ 1782 
Sir 

" Your favor of the 2^ instent came to hand the 
" 9*^. I beg leave to afsure your Excellency it was 
" with reluctence I brought myfelf to the refolution 
" of retiring from fervice before the clofe of the war, 
"but the peculier circumflances of my family Justi- 
" fied the measure to my own mind, efpecially while 
" in connection with my private reasons, my retiering 
" would be the means of an opening for So worthy a 
" character, as Colonel Brook, to remain in Service — 

" But the refolves of Congress of November 19*^ 
" puts the Senior officers who retire in Such circum- 
" fiances as by no means corrispond with the ideas 
" upon which I agreed to retire, therefore, as your 
*' excellency observes there is now no opening unlefs 



98 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

" my reafons are very urgent indeed. I fhall chuse to 
" remain at present, rather then to accept the pecu- 
" niary rewards proposed by Congrefs while I am 
" deprived of every honorary advantage which I may 
"be intitled to — 

" besides Col° Shepards Leaveing Service has, 
** unfortunately put me in a fittuation in which my 
" f rinds might censure me Should I resign at pre- 
" sent — 

" I am much obliged to your Excellency for the 
" information refpecting the question of promotion in 
" the Mafsachusetts Line being yet before Congrefs. 
" Should it be desided accorinding to the opinion of 
" the Secretary at War it will undoubtedly be agre- 
" able to me. it, however is a fubject of too much 
" dilicasy, for me personably to addrefs Congrefs upon. 
" if my Services are considered in fuch a point of view 
" as Shall induce my General to mention them in a 
" favorable Light to that honorable body, I Shall ef- 
" team it one of the most happy circumstances of my 
" Life. — But I beg leave to Suggest that if by any 
" means the Mafsachusets Line, Should not obtain 
" that justice, which they have Long expected, within 
" a reafonable time, or any arrangement of Command 
" Should take place, which I cannot reconsile to my 
" own fealings as a Military man, I trust I fhall Hand 
" acquited by every one, pofsefed of those fine feal- 
" ings which Military Service naturely begits in the 
" humain brest. Should I then request Leve to re- 
" figne — " 

I am with the utmost Sentements of 
respect your Excellencies mst obedient 
humble Servent — 
General RuFUS Putnam 

Washington 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 99 

whether my Sentements exprefsed as above were 
communicated to Congrefs or not I cannot tell, but 
be that as it may, I recived a Brigadiers Commifsion 
dated the Eighth of January 1 783 — 

Thus was I placed in a Sittuation which Left me 
no excuse for Leaveing the Service to the clofe of the 
war, which happily foon took place, on the 19*^ of 
April peace was publicly proclaimed in the army, 
in June the Mafsachusetts Line were reduced to three 
Regiments, of which Gen^ Patterfon being the oldest 
Brigadier took the command, the other officers & 
foldiers retiered on Furlow, and were not discharged 
untill the next November — 

Thus have I given you my history relative to the 
revolutionary War, So far as relates to the extra 
Services I was called to engage in, and the esteam 
in which I was hild by my fuperior & other officers 

I might Say, with another officer " I have had my 
escapes as well as others " but I have endevored to 
avoid Saying any more about that, then was necef- 
sarily connected with the objects I professed to have 
in view 

That I enjoyed a good fhare of the esteam, & confi- 
dence, as well as the frindfhip of General Wafhington, 
must appear to all who fhall peruse this memore, — 
And that his frindship for me continued, during his 
political existence, will appear from what follows — 

March 31^* 1790, the Prefident appinted me Judg 
of the General Court in & over the teritory North- 
west of the Ohio, & on 

May 5*'^ 1 792, the Prefident appointed me a Brigader 
in the army.^ 

October i^* 1796, he appointed me Surveyor Gen^ 
of the united llates.^ 

^ Page 257. 2 Page ^jj. 

i-.ofC. 



loo MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

To be able to leve behind me fuch indubitable evi- 
dence of the elleam, frindship, & patronage of fo great 
& good a man as General Walhington (continued for 
more then twenty years) is no small Source of con- 
folation, under the perfecution I have fuffered from 
the Arch enemy, of Wafhingtons Administration. 



I Shall next proceed to give Some account of my 
purfuits and employment after the peace took place 
untill my arrivel at Marietta with my family in Novem- 
ber 1 790 — and of the Indian War fo far as relates 
to the Settlement on the ohio Company Lands 

In June 1 783 previous to my Leaveing Camp the 
officers of the army, perticulerly of the Northern States 
petitioned Congrefs for a grant of a tract of Land 
Northwest of the river ohio.^ but Learning by a 
Letter from General Wafhington of June 1 784 ^ that 
northing had ben don on the Said petition, I engaged 
with the Committee of Eastern Lands to Survey cer- 
tain Lands bordering on the bay of Pafsamaquoddy, 
and 2<^ of august 1784 I Left home for that country 
— and returned to Boston the eighth of November 
following — 

1785 the General afsembly of Mafsachusets were 
So well fatisfied with my Services the Last year that 
they appointed me one of the Committe for the Sale, 
of there Eastern Lands, & alfo to fuperintend the 
Surveys 

I left home the 6**^ of June & arrived at Boston the 
7th while in Boston, my election as one of the Sur- 
veyors of the Lands in the Western teritory was 
anounced to me in a Letter of the 28*^^ of May from 
the Secretary of Congrefs, & requiring an imediate 
^ Page 215. " Page 226. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM loi 

anfwer of my acceptance — ^ I was under confider- 
able perplexety what anfwer to return, for I was not 
only under engagement to the State of Mafsachusetts 
which I could not avoid with honor, without there 
confent, but Surveyors & hands were engaged for 
the Season, provisions Laid in, & a vefsel chartered 
to take us to the eastern country — at the fame time 
I was very Loath to relinquish my appointment for 
the western country, on a vew of all the circumllances, 
I wrote a letter of aceptence to the Secretary of Con- 
gress, and a Letter to the Mafsachufetts Delagates 
in Congrefs, requesting there influence that Gen^ 
Tupper might be accepted as a fubstitute for me in 
the western country untill I could attend to that Ser- 
vice in person — 

June 14*^^ having compleated my arrangments for 
the eastern country we Sailed from Beverly, this day 

June 20* arrived at Bluehill Bay where we depfitted 
llors 

d° [June] 25 arrived at Enoch Sandburns in Machias 
Bay where we depofited a quantity of provisions. 

June 29*^ arrived at Laighton point in Cobscook 
bay here we depofited our remining Stores and on 
the next day discharged the Sloop — 
This Season was fpent in furveying the coast, Is- 
lands & towns westward to Penobscot Bay — and we 
returned to Bollon about the 20*^^ of December.^ — 

The Winter following I was chiefly employed in 
protracting the Surveys made the Last Season — 

With refpect to the Surveys proposed to be exe- 
cuted this year in the western Country, the hostile 
disposition of the Indians prevented them altogather. 

1 Page 232. 

2 General Putnam's notes of his Surveys of Eastern Lands are in the 
Library of Marietta College. 



I02 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

a treaty had ben held with the Indians at Fort M^'In- 
tosh, the 21^* of January 1785 but the terms dictated 
by our Commifioners were by no means Satisfactory 
to the Indians, and the Surveyors dare not venture 
into the woods for the purpos of makeing any Sur- 
veys whatever, however General Tupper & others 
brought a very favorable report of the country, North- 
west of the ohio river, and haveing no expectation 
that anything more favorable would be don by Con- 
grefs for the army then what was comprised in the 
Land ordinance of the 20*^ of May 1785, 1 concluded 
to join in Setting on foot an afsociation for purchas- 
ing of Lands in that country, & in purfuit of this 
Idea, Gen^ Tupper & my felf on — 

January 10*^ 1786 ifsued public information to all 
officer, & Soldiers & other good citizens disposed 
to become adveturers in the Ohio country, inviting 
those residing in Mafsachusetts to meet (by Dela- 
gates chosen for the purpos) at Boston on the first 
day of March, for the purpos of forming an afsocia- 
tion by the name of the Ohio Company — 

March i^* 1786 Delagates from Eight counties of 
the State meet at Boston agreable to our request, and 
proceeded to form the Articles of agreement &c — 
(See ohio Company records) — -^ 

In March or April the Surveyors were ordored to 
proceed to the Western country, but as General Tup- 
per was the Last year a great Sufferer in expence, & 
I had Still businefs to attend t(5o refpecting the east- 
ern Lands, he again proceeded to the ohio country 
as a fubstitute for me 

the bufmefs of the Eastern Lands gave me con- 
fiderable imploy in Boston through the winter & fall 

1 See S. P. Hildreth's Pioneer History, pp. 193-198 ; or Manasseh Cutler 
— Life, yournals, and Correspondence, vol. i. pp. 179-186. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 103 

of 1 786 ; And having ben appointed with Gen^ Lin- 
coln, and Judge Rice (of Wiscafset) a Commifsioner to 
treat with the Penobscot Indians &c &c I was on this 
tour from august 7* to the 22<^ of September — 

1 787 January. I joined General Lincoln at Worces- 
ter as a Volunteer Aid, against the infurgents & 
continued with him untill there dispersion at Peters 
ham — Sometime in February — April 27*^ I was ap- 
pointed a Justice of the peace by Govenor Bowdoin 
— and at the May election I was Elected a member 
of the General afsembly for the Town of Rutland 

I attended the Spring & fall fefsion of the Gen- 
eral afsembly, and alfo to the bufsinefs of the eastern 
Lands — 

November 23^ 1787 the Director of the ohio com- 
pany this day appointed me Superintendent of all 
the bufmefs, relateing to the comincment of a Settle- 
ment of there Lands in the teritory Northewest of 
the river Ohio the people to go forward in the com- 
panys employ under my direction, was to confist of 
4 Surveyors 22 men to attend them, 6 boat builders 
4 Carpenters i Blackfmith & 9 common hands with 
two waggons — &c &c ^ 

Major Haffield White conducted the first party 
which Started from Danvers, First of December — 
the other party were appointed to randevoz at Hart- 
ford where I met them on the first day of January 
1788 

From Hartford I was under the necefsity of going 
by New york, and this party moved forward, con- 
ducted by Col° Sproat — 

January 24*^ I joined the party at Lincolns Inn, 
neer the Sweetterret Creek,^ which was hard frosen 

1 See S. P. Hildreth's Pioneer History, pp. 201-204. 
"^ Swatara Creek. 



I04 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

but not fufficient to bear the waggon, & a whole day 
was fpent in cuting a pafsage. — So great a quantity 
of Snow fell this day & the night following as quite 
blocked up the road, it was with much difficulty we 
got the waggon as far as Coopers at the foot of Tus- 
carowas mountains (Now Strawsburgh) where we 

arrived the 29 here we found that northing had 

crofsed the mountains Sence the great Snow above 
mentioned, and that in the old Snow which was about 
12 inches deep pack horses only had crofsed these 
mountains — our only resourse now was to build 
Sleads and to harnefs our horses one before the other, 
& in this maner, with four Sleads, & the men March- 
ing in front to break the tract we Set forward, and 
reached the yauhiogany the 14*^ of February where 
we found Major Whites party who arrived here the 
23^^ of January — 

April i^* 1788 having compleated our Boats, and 
Lade in Stores we left Sumrells Ferry on the yahio- 
any for the mouth Muskingum river and arrived 
there on the Seventh — Landing on the upper point 
where we pitched our Camp among the trees, and in 
a few days comminced the Survey of the Town of 
Marietta as well as the eight acre Lots — nor was a 
preparation for a place of Defence neglected — for 
besids the propriety of always guarding against Sav- 
ages, I had reafon to be cautious. For from confulting 
the Several treaties which had ben made with the 
Indians by our Commfioners (copies of which I had 
obtained at the War office as I came on) and other 
circumflances I was fully perfuaided that the Indians 
would not be peacible very Long, — hence the pro- 
priety of imediately erecting a cover for the Emi- 
grents who were Soon expected. 

therefore the hands not necefsary to attend the 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 105 

Surveys were Set to work in clearing the Ground 
&c which I fixed on for erecting the proposed works 
of defence 

Thus were all hands employed untill the 5*^ of May 
— when I proposed to them that those who inclined 
Should have the Liberty of planting two acres each 
on the plain within the town plat and make up there 
time after the first of July, (the time to which they 
had ben engaged in the Companys Service) — most 
of them accepted the offer, and with what was don 
by them & others who came on about this time we 
had about 130 acres of good corn raised y eliding on 
an average about 30 Bufhel per acre — the Season 
was very favorable we had no frost untill winter. I 
had English Beans Blofsomed in December — 

Campus-Martius, was Sittuate on the Margen of 
the first high ground or plain 68 Chains from the 
ohio river & eight chains from the Muskingum, 

And confisted of four Block houfes of hewed or 
fawed timber, two Story high (erected at the expence 
of the Company) the upper ftories on two fides pro- 
jected two feet with Loope holes in the projection to 
rake the fides of the Lower ftories. two of the block 
houses had two rooms on a floor, & the other two 
three rooms — the block houses were fo placed as to 
form Bastions of a reguler Square and flank the cur- 
tains of the work, which was proposed to confist of 
private houfes, alfo to be made of hewed or fawed 
timber and two Story high — Leaveing a cleane area 
within of 144 feet fquare 

Before our arrivel at the Muskingum as above men- 
tioned none of the Directors or agents had any cor- 
rect Idea of the quality of the Lands they had pur- 
chsed efpecially of the face of the country about the 
Muskingum at & neer its confluence withe the ohio, 



io6 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

where they ditermined to Lay out there Capital, to 
confist, including commons, of four thousand acres 
" and contiguous to this, one thousand Lots of eight 
acres each, amounting, to eight thousand acres " 

The Survey of thefe 8 acre Lots was first of all to 
be executed, & a plan of them forwarded to the Sec- 
retary of the company by the first Wednesday of 
March (1788) the day appointed for the agents to 
meet at Providence to draw the Lot — and where 
they actually did meet & Draw the Several lots but 
had the prudence to Lodge the List of daughts with 
the Secretary untill the plans were Sent on 

In the month of June Gen^ Parfons & General Var- 
num two other Directors of the Company, with fo 
many of the agents arrived at this place as to enable 
them to hold there meeting the 2^ of July to which 
time & place it had ben adjorned from Providenc — 
— But how disappointed were thay to find that not 
a Director or agent had drawn an 8 acre lot fo neer 
the town as to be able to cultivate it without much 
hazard, fome remedy they ditermined on, & refolved 
on the foolish plan to divide three thousand acres of 
the commons into three acre Lots, this was don but 
they were as unfortunate as before, none of them 
were accommedated — 

another meafure adopted was to authorize the 
clearing the town Lots & remaining commons — this 
was but a very partial releaf even for those already 
arrived, & the number was daily increasing — 

the Scheme of Laying out Lots of Eight acres had 
always ben opposed by my felf & Some others, our 
opinion was that a fmall farm of not Lefs then 64 
acres of the best Land Ihould be Laid out to each 
fhare bordering on the ohio & other navagable 
Streams, of which the first actual Settlers Should take 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 107 

there choce, but we were over ruled and the 8 acre 
Lots having ben drawn & become the property of 
Individals it was too Late to adopt the other plan 

With refpect to the works at Campus Martins the 
four Block houfes were all up ; and the private houses 
of the curtains were fo far advanced in the course of 
the year as to render the place very defencible — 

By the timely arrivel of Govenor St Clair with the 
Teritorial Judges — viz. Perfons Symms & Vernum ^ 
a code of Laws were adopted for the teritory, and 
officers civil & Military appointed for the County of 
Wafhington before the first of September, in which 
month the Cout of Commonpleas & quarter fefsions 
was opened at Marietta, but happily for the credit 
of the people there was no Suit either civel or crimi- 
nal brought before the court — 

The whole Number of Men including my felf who 
arrived at Mulkingum (Marietta the j^^ of April 1788 
as before mentioned) was 48 among which were four 
Surveyors, viz Col° Sproat, Col Meigs, Major Tup- 
per & M' John Mathews, & in the course of this year 
in addition to the above 84 men makeing 132 for 
the year 1788 — and among these 15 families 8 of 
thefe arrived as early as the month of August among 
whome were Gen* Tupper, Major Culhing, Major 
Goodale & Major Coburn It must be remembered 
that at the close of this year there was not a fingle 
white family within the now Hate of ohio, but what 
were included in our fettlement, for Col° Harmer & 
neerly all his officers, at Fort Harmer were propri- 
etors in the ohio Company. — Judge Symms with a 
few families went down the river in the course of the 
Sumer but they wintered in Kentucky 

1 Arthur St. Clair of Pennsylvania, Samuel Holden Parsons of Con- 
necticut, John Cleves Symmes of New Jersey, and James Mitchell Var- 
num of Rhode Island. 



io8 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

We had no interruption from the Indians this year, 
neer Marrietta, partly no doubt from there hopes they 
entertained from the treaty which they had ben pro- 
mised, and which was held neer Fort Harmer^ & 
Signed the 9*^ of January 1 789 — but this treaty under 
all circumflances gave us no real fecurity, or reafon 
to relax in our precautions against a furprize — 

The Directors & agents with every other propri- 
etor that arrived in the country were early convinced 
that Some new project must be adopted for accommo- 
dating emigrants with Land or the Settlement would 
foon come to northing, and doubts arifeing in the 
minds of Some with refpect to the agents authority 
to effect what appered necefsary, to remedy this 
fupposed defect, the proprietors were notified to meet 
at Marietta the first Wednesday of December 1788 
by themfelves or agents Specially authorised for the 
purpos, but the proprietors did not appear by them 
felves or fpecial agents in fufficients numbers to au- 
thorize there proceeding on the bufmefs, wherefore 
the agents concived under all circumflances that 
they were warrented to proceed on the premifes 

Therefore, February 6*^ 1789 the Agents First re- 
pealed the Refolutions refpecting the division of the 
remaining Lands pafsed at Boston the 21^* of Novem- 
ber 1787, and then after a preamble Stateing there 
reafons proceeded as follows viz 

" Therefore Refolved Una7ti}notisly, Thdii there fhall 
" be granted to perfons who fhall fettle in fuch places 
" within the purchas as the agents may think most 
"conducive to advance the general intrest of the 
" proprietors & under fuch rellrictions and Limitations 
" as they fhall think proper, not exceeding one hun- 

1 Fort Harmar was located at the mouth of the Muskingum River, 
opposite the Ohio Company's first settlement. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 109 

"dred acres out of each fhare in the fund of the 
" Company, & that a Committe be appointed to in- 
" vestigate the purchas fo far as may in there opinion 
" be necefsary in ordor to point out & fix upon proper 
" places of lettlement " 

The general regulation refpecting fuch fettlers (me- 
terial to be mentioned here) is that no one fettlement 
fhould confist of Lefs then 20 men able to bear arms 
& well provided with arms & amunition — & to erect 
fuch works of Defence as Should be pointed out by 
the Committe. 

In purfuence of these regulations for Granting Do- 
nation Lands a number of Settlements were made 
in 1789 & 1790 of which we fhall have ocation to Say 
more here after 

The number of emigrants who arrived in 1789 as 
far as we are able to afsertain was 152 men and 
among thefe 57 families — among the emigrents this 
year was the Reverend Daniel Story — 

early in the Spring Capt Zebulun King was Killed 
at Bellprie by the Indians. & 4 others in the woods 
below Gallipolis, M' Mathews the Surveyor & one 
man efcaped. John Gardner taken at Wolf C but es- 
caped from them 

1 790 in the Last & prefent year the following Set- 
tiements commenced in purfuence of the Donation 
System before mentioned — viz 4 Settlements on the 
ohio at Belleprie, & Newbury including 68 Lots alfo 
on the Muskingum, & Wolf Creek 2 Settlements of 
40 Lots at all thefe Settelements very confiderable 
improvements had ben made during the Last & pre- 
fent year & a Saw mill & Cornmill erected at Wolf 
Creek & at Duck Creek 

at Meigs Creek a Block house was built for 20 Set- 
tlers & another at Big bottom for 40 Late in the fall 



no MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

of the prefent year, & a few Settlers were on the 
alottmt at the Forks of Duck Creek — 

on the 23^^ of April Docter Cutler & my felf in 
behalf of the Directors — Executed a contract with 
William Dure and others at New york for the Sale 
of 148 fhares of Land in the ohio Companys purchas, 
which had ben forfited for nonpayment — ^ 

The object of Duer and his afsociates was to pro- 
vide for certain French emigrants who had begun to 
arrive at New york — in purfuence of that object 
Major John Burnham, was engaged to rais 50 men, 
to erect Cabbins for the emigrants — Burnham with 
his party arrived at Chickamage (galipolis) in the 
month of June, & imediately comminced there work 
— And a Number of the French Emigrants arrived 
at Galipolis in the course of the Sumer and fall 

August 1790 althoe our fettlements had fuflfered 
nothing the prefent year from the Indians, yet kow- 
ing that General Harmer was going against Some of 
there Settlements, and other circumllances gave us 
apprehentions of Mischief from them to guard against 
which detachments of Militia, under pay of the Com- 
pany, were Stationed at each Settlement for the pro- 
tection of the people against furprize &c — 

The number of Emigrants this year including 
Major Burnhams party (& exclusive of the French 
emigrants) as neer as we can afsertain was 165 men 
& 31 families 

The number of Frnch emigrants that arrived at 
Gallipolis we never afsertained, but I find 35 men & 
two families remained Some time at Marietta — 

After General Harmers Defeat at the S* Jofeph, 
neer the Miami Towns, at the head of the Miami 

1 For a detailed account of this transaction, see Manasseh Cutler — 
Life^ Journals, and Correspondence, vol. i. pp. 494-524. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM iii 

river of the Lake Eri, we were very apprehensive for 
Some time of an attack from our neighbours, the 
Dellewars & Wyandots, but as they made no move- 
ment we began to flatter our felves they would not 
take part in the war which the Shawones & Miami 
Indians had provoked — 

I have Stated that in the year 1 788 we had no Frost 
untill Some time in December but in the year 1789 
it was far otherwife a Severe frost about the fourth 
of October deflroyed all the unripe corn throughout 
the western country, and was perticulerly diftresing 
to the fettlers on the ohio Company Land — 

I left Marietta in July 1789, intending not to return 
again untill I brought on my family, but in the win- 
ter of 1 790 I was with Docter Cutler detained in Newe 
york on the Companys businefs, and while there as 
before Hated we contracted with W" Duer & others 
for the Sale of 148 Shares of Forieted rights, & not 
only fo but I undetook to engage a party of men to 
come forward under Major Burnham for the purpos 
of erecting cabbins at Chickamaga as before men- 
tioned. I arrived with Major Burnhams party at 
Marietta in May with a Hock of provisions to last 
untill December, to which time I had engaged there 
fervis and made my felf refponlible for there pay — 

other bulinefs of the ohio Company Like wife called 
my attention to Marietta at this time which the jour- 
nals of the Company will in a Meafure explain — ^ 

I again left the Settlement in the month of June, 
and returned with my family the fifth of November — 

1 The encouragement of new settlements was considered of prime im- 
portance, and during the winter of 1790 committees explored and reported 
favorably upon several locations along the Ohio, in the lower part of the 
Ohio Company's Purchase ; 57,000 acres were divided into farms, and 
though the outbreak of the Indian War prevented the fulfilment of the 
plan. General Putnam's energies at this time were probably directed 
toward it. 



112 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

the Crops of Corn this year were very good but 
the increfe of inhabitents with the Scersety in the 
early part of the Seafon oweing to the untimely frost 
the last fall gave reafon to apprehend there would 
not be a fupply for the enfuing year — exclusive of 
the people at Gallipolis who had raised none — 

January 2^ 1791 — this evening between Sunfetting 
and dark the Indians furprized a new Blockhouse at 
a place called the Big bottom about 40 mile up the 
Mufkingum the Indians first decoyed & made prif- 
oners of 4 men at a hutt a Little distence from the 
block house, they then came to the block house 
& finding the Door open & no fentenal they fired 
on the people about the fire & rulhing in Murdered 
every person except one Lad — the perfons killed 
were John flacy, Ezra Putnam John Camp, Zebulun 
Troop (4) from Mafschusetts, Jonathan Farwell and 
Couch ^ (2) from New hampshire W"^ James 
(i) from Connecticut — Jofeph Clark (i) from Rhode 
Island Isaac Meeks, his Wife & two Children (4) 
from Virginia in all 12 killed 

Taken prifoners. Francis Choat, Isaac Choat Thomas 
Shaw & Philip Stacy (4) from Mafsachufetts & Jamee 
Patten from Newhampfhire 5 in all taken prifoners — 

the Indians the Same Night came down to Wolf 
Creek Mills, but fortunately 2 men in another hutt 
not far from the Blockhouse that was taken made 
there efcape, and coming down to Cap* Roggers 
Hunting Camp they arrived at the Mills before the 
Indians & gave the alarm, the Indians therefore find- 
ing the people at the Mills were on there guarde made 
no attempt at that time — 

It was now evident that the war was become gen- 
eral and that it was necefsary to prepair for the 

1 James Couch. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 113 



worst, our Situation was critical on Several accounts, 
the troops that were at Fort Harmer had all except 
a few Invaleds ben called down the river. General 
Harmer had ben unfortunate two detachments of 
his army one of 1 10 men & the other of 360 had Sev- 
erally ben beaten by the Indians, there were no fet- 
tlements on the ohio or neer it from Pitts burgh to 
Kentucky, that were they disposed could afford us 
any afsistence — the Indians were much elated with 
there fuccefs & threatened there fhould not remain a 
Smoak on the ohio by the time the Leaves put out 

our own Strength at this time (except at Gallipolis) 
I find by a return of the Militia made about this time 
to be as follows viz 



Civel officers 



This it appears 
was the whole force 
which under providence 
we had to rely on 
for our defence 
except a few of 
Burnhams men 
Som of whome remained L Old Men 
at GaUipoUs & I expect were 
not included in this return 
nor are any Frenchmen 
included, they were not yet organized 
with officers 



L' Col° Commadant — — — — 

Major — — — — — — — 

Captains — — — — — — — 

Subalterns — — — — 

Sarjents — — — — — — — 

Rank & file — — — — 



I 

I 

4 
8 
6 

244 
264 



r Marietta — — 19 
■< Belleprie — — — 4 
( Wolf Creek — — 6 



Killed & Mifsing 



301 

14 

287 



The first Meafures taken was to call a fpecial 
Meeting of the Agents and proprietors within the 
purchas on the s*"^ of January, at which meeting 
they refolved that additional works were necefsary to 
be erected for the defence of Marietta, Belleprie, & 
Wolf Creek (Waterford) 

that Col° Sproat be applied to and requesed to 
rais a body of Militia to consist of 60 privates properly 



114 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

oficered and Six Spies or expert Woods men — The 
Directors imediately fet about carrying thefe Refolu- 
tions into effect — the four fettlements at Belleprie & 
Newbury were confentrated in one — thofe at Wolf 
Creek — Meigs Creek & indeed all up the Mufkingum 
were all collected to one flation on the Bank of the 
river, except fuch as retiered to Marietta, the people 
up Duck Creek & in the neighbourhood of Marietta 
were all called in & took Shelter at Campus-Martius, 
Fort Harmer & the point at the upper fide of Muf- 
kingum, were a large Space including all the Houses 

was enclosed by a llockade & Block houses a 

flrong work of Block houses joined by a llockade 
work was alfo erected at Bellprie and another at the 
Station up the Mufkingum — and Campus was alfo 
much improved by additional works 

Dureing the Winter while thefe works were carry- 
ing on few men Left the Settlement becaufe they 
were reciving wages either for Service on the works 
or as Militia but the works being compleated & the 
War continuing many deferted the Settlement 

we heard northing from the Indians untill the month 
of March when they came on in conliderable force to 
Warterford (the Station up Muskingum) but the peo- 
ple being apprized of there approach they effected 
northing, but the wounding one Man & takeing an- 
other prifoner, who were out Some distence from the 
Garison, but did not attemp this Fort, nor any other 
of our Stations — but dividing into Small parties 
they harrised all the Settlements on the ohio through 
the Somer & fall, at Marietta they killed Capt Joseph 
Rogers about i ^ mile from Campus-Martius as he 
was returning in from a Scout — and Mathew Kerr 
at the Mouth of Duck Creek — at Bellprie they killed 
Benona Hurlburt (a Spy) while out on his duty they 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 115 

alfo killed, & drove off a number of Cattle from Bell- 
prie & Warterford — — 

they alfo killed one man at Gallipolis, and James 
Kelly at Bellvill 29 mile below Marietta & took Jo- 
seph Kelly, a Small boy on the Virginia fide of the 
ohio.^ and 4 men were killed one wounded & one 
taken prifoner about 7 mile from Marietta on the 
road to Clarksburge — 

finding the peopl on the ohio Company purchas 
all Forted & generally keeping a good Lookout — 
it apears the party which came out to deflroy us 
root & branch pritty early in the year crofsed over 
into Viginia & neer the ohio and even as far East as 
the Waters of the Mongahala did a Great deal of 
Mischief, in Murdering & captivateing people & 
carrying off Horses every year the war continued — 
while we Lost but a few comparitively after the 
prefent year (1791) in 1792 at Marietta M' Robert 
Worth and a Negro boy killed & Joseph Simonds 
wounded in 1793 at Bellprie Major Goodale killed 
in 1794 — Abel Sherman, at Waterford, & Jonas 
Davis at Bellprie killed & in 1 795 Sherman Warter- 
man killed, on Little Wolf Creek — and providence 
fo ordored that in the course of the War we obtained 
two Indian Schelps, & believe we killed a third 

February 1 792 — the Director of the Ohio Com- 
pany haveing notified a meeting of Special agents 
to be holden in Philedelphia, to take the afairs of the 
Company into confideration, on the 2"^ of this month 
I Set out in company with Col*' Robert oliver^ for 
that place on, or foon after our arrivel we met with 
Docter Cutler — & on the 2^ of March we prefered a 

1 In the manuscript arranged thus : — 

" they also killed one man at Gallipolis, and James Kelly at Bellvill 29 
& took Joseph Kelly, a Small boy 
mile below Marietta on the Virginia fide of the ohio." 
A 

2 Robert Oliver was one of the Directors of the Ohio Company. 



ii6 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

petition to Congrefs^ — the great object of this peti- 
tion was to be released from the oreginal contract for 
the purchas of 1.500.000 acres and for a reimburs- 
ment of the expencis of the war &c &c our Sittuation 
was very criticle — Col° Duer & afsociates had failed 
altogather in refpect to the 148 fhares they contracted 
to purchas Duer was about this time fhut up in 
Gale, where he Died $2861.42 indebeted to me for 
building the works & Cabbins at Gallipolis — And 
Richard Piatt the treafurer of the ohio Company was 
Ihut up — about $80000 indebted to the ohio Com- 
pany, which they never recovered — & we were 
bound to give 100 acres of Land to each actual Set- 
tler, who fhould continue in the Settlement & perform 
Militia duty dureing the War — our ability to per- 
form which many began to doubt. S* Clair had ben 
defeated, with a great Lofs of men, and all his artil- 
lery, and Stores of every kind — the Indians began 
to believe them Selves invinsible, and they truly had 
great caufe of triumph. 

by far the greatest part of our Strenght confisted 
in men who were not proprietore in the Company & 
therefore had no inducment to remain in the country 
but there wages & the 100 acres of Land which had 
ben promised 

Our Second payment to Congrefs of $500000 was 
now become due — & on the non payment of which 
it was a question if the Lands we had paid for might 
not be forfieted — 

befides we had already expended more then $9000 
in erecting works & paying Militia & &c 

under thefe circumflances it was abfolutly impof- 
sible to fulfill our contract with Congrefs & there was 
the utmost danger of the fettlement being broken 

^ For the text of this petition and the consequent Act of Congress, see 
Manasseh Cutler — Life, JoM-nals, and Correspoiidence, vol. i. pp. 471-481. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 117 



up, unlefs Congrefs Should grant releaf but in 

this mount of difficulties Divine providence fo over 
ruled the minds of Men that Congrefs pafsed an Act 
authorizing the Prefident to ifsue a patent for the 
750000 acres for which we had paid in final Settle- 
ment Certificates, & another Patent for a tract of 
214285 acres which we paid for in Military Land 
Warrents valued at the rate of one acree equel to 
one Doller in Certificates — Congrefs alfo granted 
to the Directors looooo acres in trust to be granted 
in Lots of 100 acres to each Settler — by which 
means the Directors were able to fulfill there engage- 
ments to Settlers without any Sacrefise of the Com- 
pany Lands — 

we alfo obtained a reimbursment of moneys paid 
for wages & Sublistence of Militia $2614.08 — 

By a Late examination of the Companys Books I 
find there expends on ace* of the Indian War to be 
for 1790 1 791 & 1792 as follows viz 

1790 for p'' Militia, Spies & Subsistence — 

1 791 for pay of Militia Six month — — — — 
for amount of Subsistence & rations Same time — 
d" Spys extra Scouts & guards pay & rations — 
d° furgions pay & rations, Medicen & amunition — 

d° expence of the Several fortifications — 

d° goods given for redeemtion of prifoners 



To alowence by agents to Director for Servis 

1791 to Rufus Putnam Servis at Marietta $113. 
D° G. Greene at Belleprie — — — — — 90. — 
d« d° d° — at Marietta 283.50 

1792 d" d° at d° — — — 118.50 

1791 Robert Oliver Servis at Marietta — 351. — 
d° Jorney of Oliver to Philadelphia — 173-33 

1792 Robert Oliver Service at Marietta — 90. — 

Contra C — r 
By money &c refunded by the US $ 2614.08 
By Sundries furnished individuals 743-94 

Neat expence ocationed by the War — 
to the ohio Company — — — — — — 



$- 


Ct. 


297 


83 


3724 


43 


2930 

I06I 

766 
4668 


lO 

79 
60 

84 


40 


— 



13489 



1219 33 



59 




$11350 



ii8 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

It will be obferved that all these expences accrued 
in the years 1791 & 1792 and indeed after the first 
Six months of the year 1791 the ohio Company were 
at no expence on account of the Militia who were 
called into Service, they were paid & Subsisted by 
the United States 

I have Said (page 129) [99] that on the 5*^ of May 
1792 I was appointed Brigadier in the army.^ with 
what reluctence I accepted of that appointment will 
be feen by the following Letter I wrote to the Secre- 
tary of War on the ocation 

" Philadelphia May 7th 1792 
"Sir 

I have ben this day honored with your Letter of 
"the 5*^ inflent, notifying me, that the Prefident of 
" the United States withe advice & confent of Senate 
"has appointed me a Brigadier General. — the re- 
" fpect I owe to the Prefident of the United States, 
" and the distrefsed Sittuation of that country I now 
" call mine, obliges me to accept the honor of this 
"appointment. — provided however that I hold my 
" rank from my Commifsion in the Late army that 
" I conlider it a temporary appointment which I pro- 
" pose to refign, as Soon as the Service will permit, 
" and in the Mean time I retain my prefent office in 
" the civel department. 

"but in justice to my Self I must obferve, that I 
" have not the remotest wish to enter again into the 
" Military Line, my private afairs & Sittuation of 
" my family all forbid it and my advanced age as well 
" as Hate of my health, I fear will render me unable 
" to perform the duties of a Soldier with honor to my 
" felf & advantage to the Servis " 

I am &c * 

1 Page 257. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 119 

In a few days after I recived this appointment I 
recived my inflructions from the Secretary of war 
the first object of which was "to attempt to be pre- 
" fent at the General Council of the hostile Indians 
** about to be held on the Miami river of Lake Erie 
" in order to convince the Said Indians of the humain 
'* dispofitions of the United States, and there by to 
** make a truce or peace with them " ^ 

I arrived a Pittsburgh the 2^ of June & on the 5*^ 
I Sent a Speech ^ to the hostile tribes, by two Munsee 
Indians who had ben taken prifoners & whome I 
released for that purpos — the object of this Speech 
was to notify them of the object of my Mifsion — " to 
** request them to open a path to Fort JeflFerfon where 
" I expected to arrive in about 20 days, and that they 
" (hould Send Some of there young men with Cap* 
" Hendrick to conduct me with a few f rinds to the 
"place they Should fix on for our meeting" how- 
ever I did not arrive at Fort Wafhington until the 2^ 
of July, where I Learned that the very day I had 
Sent word to the Indians that I proposed to be at 
Fort Jefferfon about 100 Indians with new, or white 
Shirts & there Chief with a Scarlet coate, fell on a 
party makeing hay in the neighbourhood of the Fort 
& killed & carried off 16 men. from the extreordi- 
nary drefs of thefe Indians there was reafon to fus- 
pect that they were Sent out (or at Lest furnished 
with there new Shirts by the British agent) for the 
purpos of takeing me off and this fuspition was fur- 
ther confirmed Soon after by information of the cer- 
tain Murder of Col° Hardy & Major Truman as well 
as Some others who had not Long Sence ben Sent 
too them with Flaggs 

From information which could be depened on I 

1 Page 257. 2 Page 269. 



I20 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

was Soon convined that the Indians who met at the 
Great Council were ditermined for war and that it 
was in vain to make any further attempts to bring 
them to treat of peace at prefent But from in- 
formation from Major Hamtramick the commanding 
officer at post Vincent there was reafon to believe 
Something might be don with the wabash & other 
more western Indians 

accordingly on the 24*^ of July I Sent a Speech 1 
to all the Western tribes inviting them to meet me 
in council at post vincent the 20^^^ of September, af- 
suring them that I Should bring there frinds & rela- 
tions with me (meaing the Indian prifoners at Fort 
Wafhington — ) 

august 16*^ I left fort Washington with the Indian 
prifoners &c and arrived at post Vincent on the 13^^ 
of September & the Same day rellored the prifoners 
about 60 in Number to there frinds — with a fhort 
fpeech.2 

The Councill afsembled on the 25*^ & continued by 
adjournments to the 27^^ when the treaty was Signed 

A Journal of the proceedings in the Council held 
with the Indians on this ocation, with other papers 
preferved on file will give a full account in what 
maner I executed the Mifsion I was Sent upon — ^ 

how far my conduct met the approbation of the 
Prefident of the United States the following Letter 
will Show 

" War department 
"February is'i^ 1793 

Sir 

" your Letter of yesterday has ben fubmited to the 
" Prefident of the United States, while he accepts 
" your refignation he regrets that your ill health, 

1 Page 307. 2 Page 333. 8 Pages 335-384. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 121 

" compells you to Leave the army as he had antici- 
" pated much good to the troops from your experi- 
" ence as an officer. 

" He has commanded me to tender you his thanks 
" for the zeal and judgment manifested in your Ne- 
" gotiation with the Wabash Indians, and your fur- 
" ther endevor toward a general pacification 

I am Sir with great efleme 
" Brigadier General your obedient Servent 
RuFus Putnam H Knox 

Secretary War " 

N B the tribes of Indians reprefented at this 
treaty were the Eel Creeks, Weaughtenoes — Pote- 
watemis — Mifsoutins, Kikapoos of the Wabash & 

Peankalhaws Kaskaskies & Piorians. and the 

Number of Chiefs who Signed the treaty was 31 — 
the whole number prefent — 247 Men 439 women 
& Children — Total 686 

In compliance with my request in a Speech ^ made 
to the Indians on the 29^^ of September, a number of 
the Chiefs, I believe ten Set out for Philadelphia, 
conducted by L* Prior — at the time of there depar- 
ture I was incapable of any bufinefs & left the per- 
ticuler arrangment to Major Hamtramick & M' John 
Hecke welder, the Later of whome was to go with 
them to Marietta & there wate my arrivel 

on the 25*^ of September I was taken with the 
ague & feavor wich returned upon me every 2^ day 
untill the 30*^ from which time the fitts returned 
every day fuccefsively for Several days & the fevor 
run fo high that I was not able to attend to any bufi- 
nefs untill the 6*^ of October, on which day the fevor 
left me & on the 10*^ althoe Very week & f cable I 
Set out by water from Post Vincent — on the 18*^ I 

1 Page 366. 



122 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

was taken with a relaps of the Same disorder. & it 
was the 29*^ before I reached the falls of ohio — hav- 
ing for 12 days fufEered much being with out Physi- 
tian or Medicene, and no accommodation but what 
the boate aforded — here I remained untill the 19*^ 
of November when the fitts being partly broken, I 
Set out for Marietta, where I arrived the 18*^ of De- 
cember, haveing had only two fitts on the way, yet 
remaining very weak & Low — 

As Soon as my health permitted I Set out for 
Philadelphia and haveing made my reporte to the 
Secretary of War — and on the 14*'^ of February 
1793 refigned my commifsion^ — I returned to my 
family, haveing through the good providence of God 
in a good degre effected Somthing of importence, 
but not the main object of my Miffion — 

All the Michief don by Indians dureing my ab- 
sence in the ohio companys purchas & even to the 
end of the War being Hated in page 147 [114-115] I 
Shall Say northing further refpecting the War, but 
proceed to fome further account of the Meafures 
prosecuted for Settling the ohio Companys Lands 

It appears from our yearly Statements that there 
had arrived by the Last of December 1790 in the 
Companys purchas exclusive of the French Emi- 
grants — 447 men 103 of whome had families, that 
the whole Number of the Militia at this time includ- 
ing old men & civel officers did not exceed 287 
to which I add for Burnhams men not return^ 

in Militia 25- 

312 

So that 312 men is the highest number we can count 
as our whole flrengh when the war brook out 2'^ Jan- 
ary 1791 and of thefe 312 only 226 remained through 
the war and recived there 100 acres of Donation 

1 Page 384. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 123 

Land part of this difference is to be accounted 

for by the death of those killed by the Indians & 
other Deaths, but chefly from want of fortitude of 
mind & confidence in the honor or ability of the 
Company to fulfill there engagements — 

But while many were forfakeing the Settlement 
others came in efpecially after the grant of Congrefs 
of 1 00000 acres to the Directors in trust to be given 
away So that before the five year was out the Direct- 
ors Granted 897 Lots — but I find no account of the 
time of the arrivals of Settlers after the year 1 790 — 

I have faid I did not know how many French 
arrived at Gallipolis in the year 1790 — but on 
the first day of November 1795 I found there but 88 
of 18 years of age & upward which I had ocation 
to afsertain, by ordor of the Secretary of the Trea- 
fiiry Department — for the purpos of Surveying and 
dividing to them 24000 acres of Land Granted by 
Congrefs March 1795. 

To give an account of the Settlement of the State 
of ohio or of the Indian War beyond the Limits of the 
ohio Companys purchas except fo far as I was perfon- 
ally concerned is not the object of thefe memores — 

begining with the year 1 789 to geneal Wayns 
treaty in the year 1795 I find within the ohio Com- 
panys purchas 28 perfon killed 7 taken prifoner & 2 
wound. — in Virginia bordering on the river opposit 
the Company Lands 5 killed i taken & i wounded. 
— the prifoners all returned except Philip Stacy who 
died in captivity — 

N B I count James Kelly & his Son Jofeph as in the 
ohio Companys purchas, — and M*" Armflrong opposit 
Belleprie on the bank of ohio had Several children 
taken which are not mentioned in the above account 

I might with propriety mention a number of in- 



124 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

flences in the course of this war of Gods evidently 
appearing by his providence to interpose for the pre- 
fervation of our inhabitence, but fuffise it to remark, 
that notwisflanding the very frequent pafsing, both 
by land & water from one fettlement to another & 
various excourtions abroad, perticulerly to Wolf creek 
Mill for grinding, yet on none of those ocations were 
any lives Lost or other injury recived from the 
enimy 

For my felf I have great reafon to acknowledge 
the Goodnefs of God in my own prefervation, in that 
while much Mifschief was don on the ohio, elpecially 
neer the mouth of the Scioto river, I made three voiges 
to Cincinnati with out being molisted by the Indians, 
althoe Sometimes alarmed — 

On the 24*^ of December 1 790 the Directors of the 
ohio Company, Refolved that a Superintendent of 
Surveys &c be appointed — which System was ap- 
proved of by the agents April 4*^ 1791 See Jurnal of 
C° page 159 

May 26*^ 1793 I was appointed Superintendent in 
purfuence of the afore Said Refolves 
May 27*^^ I was appointedent to carry into effect the 
System adopted by the Trustees for granting Dona- 
tion Lands agreably to the act of Congref of April 
21^* 1792 

And we actually commenced our Survey of thefe 
Lands the 11*^ of December 1793, the War notwith- 
flanding 

In 1794 Col° Pickering, Postmaster General, pro- 
posed the plan of carrying a Mail from Wheeling to 
Lime flone by water, on this ocation I was confulted, 
the plan I proposed adopted & the bufmefs placed 
under my fuperintendence — See Pickering & Hab- 
erfhams Letters.^ 

1 Pages 386-405, 413-418. 



MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 125 

And in Some other Matters of importence I was Con- 
fulted by M' Pickering in 1795 & 1796 when Secre- 
tary of war and Secretary of Stat & my opinions 
adopted.! 

In 1 795 M*" Woolcot Secretary of the Treafury com- 
mited the affairs of the French Settlers at Gallipolis 
to my care 

June 14*^ 1796, Sais M"" Wolcott, in his Letter, 
" The Prefident of the United States has ben pleased 
" to confide to you, the bufmefs of carrying into effect 
'* an act of Congrefs entitled " An act, to authorize 
" Ebenezer Zane to Locate certain Lands in the ter- 
" ritory of the United State Northwest of the river 
"Ohio" 

N B this Law provids for Laying out and ellab- 
lishing a road from Wheeling to Lime Stone &c & 
the whole by this appointment placed under my 
Superintendence 

But the Last & best gift I recived from Prefident 
Wafhington was anounced in a Letter from M"" Sec- 
retary Pickering enclofmg a Commifsion of Surveyor 
General of the United States, bearing date the First 
day of October 1 796 — ^ 

In what manener I fulfiled the duties of this ofifice 
I Shall leve for thofe who were imployed under me 
& best informed on the Subject to ditermine 

Indeed I might appeal to my corrispondence with 
the Secretaries of the treafury ,3 or even to M"" Galliten 
perfonally, that 110 want of ability^ integrity^ or indus- 
try was the caufe of my removel from office, no. it 
was don because I did not Subscribe to the Meafures 
of him whom I have called. Arch enemy to Walh- 
ingtons Administration. Because I did not die nor 
religne. — 

1 Pages 405-409, 411. 2 Page 412. » Pages 419-426, 428-443. 



126 MEMOIRS OF RUFUS PUTNAM 

M' Jefferfon in his reply to the remonflrance of the 
Merchants of Newhaven, asks "how are vacancies to 
" be obtained? thofe by death are few, by refignation 
" none, can any other mode then removel be proposed ? 
" I Ihall proceed with dehberation that it may be 
" thrown as much as pofsible on delinquency, oppref- 
" sion, intollerence and Ante revolutionary adherence 
" to our enemies " 

how confistent is this dicleration with his apoint- 
ment of M*^ Mansfield, well known to be an active 
tory. — See the New york evening post of December 
2'^ 1803 

M"" Gallitens Letter anouncing M"" Mansfields ap- 
point to the office of Surveyor General, bears date 
the 21^* of September 1803 ^ yet the Editor of the 
evening post had not heard of it untill the 2^ of De- 
cember & then by a frind of Mine from Marietta, 
befides, my frind Mr. Jofeph Nourse, Register of the 
treasyry department in a Letter of the 7**^ of Janu- 
ary 1804 in anfwer to one from me of the 17*^^ of De- 
cember obferves " I had heard it reported that you 
" were no Longer in office but as it had not ben 
** anounced, was in hopes that it was erronious, untill 
"you mentioned it in your Letter — " this I think 
Looks a little Like a political Martyrdom which it 
was Wished to conceal from public notoriety, that 
my frinds might not have fo fair an oppertunity of 
doing public Justice to my character — but be that 
as it may, I am happy in haveing my name enroled 
with many others who have fuffered the Like politi- 
cal death, for adherence to those correct principles 
& meafures in the purfuence of which our country 
rofe from a State of weaknefs disgrace & poverty, to 
Strength, Honor & Credit 

1 Page 439. 



OFFICIAL PAPERS 
AND CORRESPONDENCE 



OFFICIAL PAPERS 
AND CORRESPONDENCE 

GEN^ WASHINGTON ORDORS TO MARCH FOR NEW YORK 

Head Quarters Cambridge 31. March 1776 — 
Sir 

You are hereby Order' d to march to New York, 
by the way of Providence — When you arrive at 
Providence you are to deHver Governor Cooke the 
Letter directed for him and afford him your best 
advice and afsistance in the Construction of the 
Works there. — At New York you are to apply to 
the Commanding Officer of the Continental Forces 
& follow such Orders & directions as you may from 
time to time receive from him. — 
I am Sir 

Your most humble Servant 

Go : Washington 
Colo RuFus Putnam — 

COPPy OF LETTER TO GEN*- WASHINGTON 

Peaks Kiln November 1776 
Sir 

Sence your Exelency Left this place I have Ben 
to Antonies Nose, and I Deleave there is no danger, 
of the Enimy atempting to pofefs it. I Returned 
this day from a Toure up Peaks kiln Hallow about 
Eleven mile N Eaflward then through the High 
Lands into the fifh kiln Country and down to the N 
River then Returned by the Pofle Roade I have the 
Pleafure to Inform you that I think it Impofable for 
a Carrag to pafs the High lands by this Eaflern Pafs 



I30 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

But it may be well to have a guard keept Here- 
abouts as there is a Number of Torys Sheltering 
them Selves in thefe mountains Waiting an opper- 
tunity to git to the Minilleral Army about 4 mile 
further Eafl is another Pafs through the Mountains 
But I am Informed by good authority that this is 
much Worfe then the Lall mentioned one another 
Pafs about 20 mile from the Peaks kiln landing 
Leading from bedford through the High lands the 
tel me is a Very good one this I mean to See to 
morrow the Barracks and other works Here are 
Pufhing as fall as Pofable I have defired L* Mechin 
to Strenghen the Polls on the River by Redoubt and 
other out Works as much as Pofable. I am more 
then Ever Convinced of the Neceffity of keep- 
ing a poll at Croton or Pine Bridge as a Protection 
to that part of the Country from and through which 
Supplys mull be Drawn for this Poll and alfo as a 
means to prevent the Enimy from makeing any 
Excruilions during the Winter for the Purpos of git- 
ting Supplys I Shall after my next toure be able to 
Send your Exelency a RufE Draft of this part of the 
Country which I Shall loofe no time in Performing 

LETTER FROM HIS EXELENCY GEN*^ WASHINGTON 

Head Quarters Valley Forge ii'" April 1778 
Sir, 

I have been favored with yours of the 10*^ Feb & 
12*'' March to which I should have replied fooner 
had I not been taking fome fleps to inquire whether 
the Rank of Col° of Engineers conferred upon you 
August, 12*^ 1776 would entitle you to take Rank 
in the Mafsachusets line as from that time. I am 
inclined to think it would give great disfatisfaction to 
those Colonels who were elder Lieut. Col°^ than you 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 131 

were. They allow that you have Rank in the great 
line of the army from the date of your appointment 
as Col° of Engineers, but in the line of Mafsachusets 
they contend that you only Rank from the time you 
were appointed to the Command of a Regiment by 
the State. There were so many of the Field Officers 
absent who are interested in the fettlement of this 
matter that a Board of Gen^ Officers who met to de- 
termine it could not effect it to their fatisfaction, and 
I therefore wish that you would let your claim rest 
until it can be more fully discufsed, 
I am S"" 
Your most Obet S* 

G^ Washington 
Col° Putnam 

LETTER TO HIS EXELENCY 

Camp White Plains Auguft 30"" 1778 
Sir 

Haveing Seen a Lift of the Maflachufett line of 
Collonels Said to be the arangement made by a 
Board of Gen^ officer as they are in future to Rank, 
to gather with the Committee of arangemet being 
arived in Camp I hope your Exelency will Con- 
fider as a Sufficient apollogie for my Adrefsing you 
at this time on the Subject of my owne Rank 

In your letter of the 11*^ of April lafl^ you Say the 
Maffachufetts Col° " Allow that I have Rank in the 
" grate line of the Army from the Date of my ap- 

" pointment as Col<^ of Engeneers but in the line 

" of Maffachfits they Contend that I only Rank from 
" the Time of my apointmet to the Command of a 
** Regiment by the State 

However Jufl this Reafoning may appear to Some 

1 Page 130. 



132 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

I can by no means Confent too it : I have no Idea of 
Commanding a Col° of one of the other State who 
may Command a Col° of the MaiTachufetts State, 
that (by this Rule) will Command me at the Same 
time Should three officers under thefe Circumflancs 
be ordored on duty togather nither of them Could 
have the Command of the whole becaufe they would 
all be Commanded by one a nother, Whitch would 
bring all in to Confulition and Injure the Service 

if thefe Gentelmen Should admit that in this Cafe 
the MaiTachufetts line of Rank Should give way to 
the grate line of the Army and the MaiTachufetts line 
Should be held too only when on Duty with MaiTa- 
chufetts officers it would Releave us Very little and 
opens a dore for the worfl of Confequences — as it 
Tends in my opinion to prevent any Reguler Line 
of Rank ever being Eflablifhed through the army 
but admit that this would be a good Rule in future it 
ought to be Rejected in the Prefent Cafe for till the 
Refolve of the Congrefs 1776 ordering 88 Battallions 
to be Raifed during the war and propotioning the 
Number to Each State there was no Such thing as a 
MaiTachufetts line So far from it that when the Reg* 
ware Raifed for the Servis of ye year 1776 there was 
Some Pains Taken to Inter mix officers of the Dif- 
ferent Stats in the Same Regiment, and there was 
No State appointment in the Army wherefore thefe 
Gentelmens Pretention to Rank in the MaiTachufetts 
line in the Prefent Army cannot arife from there former 
Rank that line becaufe there was no Such line, but 
from there former Rank in the line of the Army at 
large northing I think Can be more fancifull then 
this and therefore no Reafon I prefume Can be given 
why in Setling the Prefent MalTachufett line I Should 
not Receve Equil advantage from my appontment 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 133 

as Col° of Engineers in that line as in the grate line 
of the Army, according to their argument L* Col° 
Sherman of Col° Webbs Reg* Shall have no advan- 
tage of Rank in the Connecticut line from the Ma- 
jour ity he had in 1776 becaufe it was under a Mafla- 
chufett Col*' nor I from my L* Colonecy becaufe I was 

that year under a Connecticut Col*' the gentel- 

men Ranked befor me in the lift which I have Seen 
and which I think ought not to be is Col° Shepard 
and Col° Wigelfworth the one is the 3*^ the other 
the 4*^ and I am the 5*^ in 1775 Col° Shepard and I 
were L* Col° togather and he out Ranked me I know 
alfo that had he obtained the Regt when Col° Learned 
Refigned he would Still out Rank me but this was 
not the Cafe if it Should be Said that his Command- 
ing the Reg* before my apointment alters the Cafe I 
anfwer that I Commanded a Regimet in 1775 after 
Col° David Brewer was Dismifsed as long as Col° 
Shepard did in ye year 1776 Before my apointmt to 
the Rank of a Col° and that he had not the Rank of 
a Col° in the Army till Neer three months after I had 
therefore I See no Reafon of his being aranged Be- 
fore me 

Col° Wigelsworth I am Told was not in the army 
at all in 1775 — the first I ever heard of him was in 
1776 he Commanded a Regt of New Levies to the 
Northward : it is Pofable if I had Quited the Service 
in the fall of 1775 that I might have had one of thofe 
Regiments I knew a Major who was Rejected by 
the Gen^ officer as a Major in 1775 who obtained one 
of them and a L* a Major in the Same Regiment I 
Speek not this to Detract from Col° Wigelsworth I 
efleam him much but to fhew where this Rule will 
Carry us if Purfued. 

my own Pretentions are as follows I was foure 



134 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

years the lall War in the actual Service of my Coun- 
try [?] the lafl of which I had an Enfigns Comnition 
I Left home the 19^^ of April 1775 from which time 
till the 12 of august 1776 I Served as L* Col° when I 
was appointed Engeneer with the Rank of Col° in 
the army 

that under thefe Circumflances any Gentelman 
who began his Service in 1776 in the maner Col° 
wigelsworth did Should be aranged before me I Con- 
cive to be Very Injurious not only to me but all other 
in my Sittuation (Exclucve of the Idea of my ap- 
pointment as Col"^ of Engeneers — 

if this arangment is not fully Eflablifhed I pray 
your Exelency to take my Cafe in Conlideration and 
order Some Meafurs to be Taken for my obtainig 
Juflice : if this arangment is Unalterably Ellablilhed : 
Honour the first Prinfible of a Soldier obliges me to 
afk a discharge which I delier your Exelency will 
grant or procure Granted by Congrefs 

LETTER FROM GEN'' M*^D0UGALL 

Head-Quarters Peek's-Kill 

Feby 27th 1779 — 
Sir 

I did not intend Nixons shou'd have marched 
with you, but from present appearances the Service 
will not Suffer by it — Col° Loring has four boxes of 
Spare Amunintion with him ; as the Enemy is retir- 
ing, he will be found on the North Castle Road, lead- 
ing to the Plains. — If the Enemy move, or appear 
in Force on the River, or a movement on it in force 
shou'd apparently be intended, — quicken the march 
of the Brigade, on the best & Shortest routs to 
Pecks-Kill, & let your Regiment halt at M*" Lents, 
where the New Road leads to Kings Ferry, — there 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 135 

wait Orders ; — If you retire on the North River 
Road, In this Case, drive all the Horses Cattle & 
Sheep before you 

Your humble Servant 

Alex M^Dougall 
Col° Comm^* 
Putnam 

LETTER TO GEN^ M'^DOUGAL 

Hayns House Near Croton Feby 28 1779 

Sir 

agreeable to your ordor of the 26 Inflent Rec'^ 12 
Clock P M I marched with my owne Reg* as soon as 
posible to Joyne Col° Burr and ordored Nixons to 
follow, as I had not then the leaft doubt of its being 
your Intention they Should as in Major Platts letter 
there was no deftintion of Reg*^ Except the Pirticu- 
ler Route of Graton as the Movements of the Enimy 
Should Point out I was Senfible it was Drawing all 
the Troops from Kings ferry and peeks kill but I 
Supposed Learneds Brigade ware ordored down to 
that Quarter. I was there fore much Supprifed on 
Reciving your Letter of the 27*'^^ to find I had acted 
Contrerary to your Intention you are kind enough 
by way of apoligie for me ; to Say " but from prefent 
*' appearance the Service will not Suffer, but this Sir 
is in my opinion No Excufe for me for the Enimys 
Movements might have ben Different you might not 
have known Nixons Reg* was gon and the Service 
might have Suffered by this mistake as much as in 
any mistake (or even Diobedence of ordor) what- 
ever. I am Sir perfectly in Humour but a Mistake 
has ben Commited by Some Body and I have a Ser- 
tain Quallity about me that bids me git Rid of it if 

1 Page 134. 



136 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

I can fairly, which I think I Shall Very efily when 
your Honour Confiders Major Platts letter and a 
Col° Duty when he Commands a Brigade ; I beleave 
its the Invariable Cuflom in this Cafe that he takes 
no more Command of his owne Reg* then any other 
unlefs he is Pirticularly ordored So to do and I must 
Confefs from Major Platts letter I have no Idear that 
my Command was to be come Regimental only, but 
to have done with Subject when I arrived at Tarry 
Town I heard Col° Burr was Marched in Quest of 
the Enimy I Sent Major Trotter Immediately for- 
ward to know his Sittuation and advife with him 
what ordors to Send to Col° Loreing about 3 Clock 
P M y^ 27*^ I meet Col° Hammond a Mile below 
White plains Major Trotter Sent me a Billit by him 
that the Enimy had given Col° Burr the Slip at Mar- 
rinek and advised me to Halt, which I did in about 
half an hour after I had Intiligance that Col° Burr was 
on his Return I Sent Immediately to halt Col° Smith 
and Col° Loareing I Suppofed would not Come 
farther then North Caflle with out Further ordors 

I Sent Major Trotter this morning early to Turne 
Col° Loreing Back and Returned with the other two 
Regiment to there old Quarters 

when I was with you lall I mentioned a New 
Route from Col° Drakes to the New Bridge I came 
Home that way and find it Exceeds my Expectation 
if the Commefary and artificers are obliged to Ritire 
it will be by that Route 

the Gaily that Came up to Tarry town on the 26* 
Use there yet. I think if the Guards do there duty I 
am efetually provided againfl any Supprise if there 
Should any Number of Gallys come up as far this 
place I fhould think it best to have the Quarters of 
the Brigade lefs Extenlive which might be effected 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 137 

by Quartering them in Barns as well as Houfes 
which may be don, with out much Inconveenency to 
the men, in any wathe the Gallys will be likely to be 
up the River, and i 'ie Guards might be better looked 
in too and the duty .nuch efir for the Men 



REPORT TO HIS EXELI.NCY PREVIUS TO THE ATTACK OF 
STONEY PONT 

. Constitution Island July 13th 1779 
Report of obferv.ations made at Vanplanks Point 
taken this Morning 

the Roof of the jBlock Houfe in Fort De La Fy- 
atte taken off Proverbelly with a Defigne to add 
another Story of Ti.nber work — the Block houfe on 
Stonney hill quite inclofed with a parrepet. a New 
flafh or Redan in a line of there other works Next 
the Block houfe on the North River a New work 
on the old Barbitt battery, — built by the americans 
Enlarged and Earibrafure made which Rake the 
beach and flats tcywards the bridge, the abbette 
[abatis] in front of 'ihere works continued down the 
bank and acrofs the beach to Low warter marke 

from the Bridge acrofs the Marfh towards the 
Stone houfe is about Eighty Rod the Beach here at 
low warter, is about three Rod wide nearly on a levil 
with the Marfh where was a Small fier where I appre- 
hend a night picket :s polled after you leave the 
Marfh between the high bank and the warter the 
beach is not Quite So wide the distence to march 
here before you are in the Rear of there line of works 
is alfo about Eighty Rod directly in front and under 
the Rake of the afore Said american battery which 
is Retiered from there line of Works and is built on 
a part of the Point that projects more in to the bay 



138 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

and Servs as a kind of flank and in front of which 
there Encampment mull be entered 

I had in my party a Number oi intiligent Soldiers 
of Col° Nixon Regiment who were Stationed in the 
Spring of lafl year; and this at ''■Are Stone houfe I 
proposed to them laft eving to pi late me acrofs the 
crick below the bridge in ordo7 as I pretended to 
take of Some of the out guards *:hey told me about 
three Rod from the bridge tbey Could take me 
acrofs where the warter at lo tide was not more then 
knee deep I wifhed them to carry me further off in 
ordor to avoide a Sentry which I apprehended might 
be pofled at the bridge they told me they could not 
I alked them why they Said the tints was mire knee 
deep in general and Some pku^es much deeper I 
afked them if they were Sure <of it they Said yes 
they had often waided in upon them and Some of 
them had on a bar that Run o at ben Quite to the 
Island I afked them if there w^s no giting to the 
Beach in Rear of the bridge fr< m the Island they 
Said no. I afked then if there Vas no weidening 
place up the crick in the Mariii they Said there was 
Nearly oppofit the block house but the did not know 
if they could find it in the night, and aded the Crick 
was very winding Runing Quite acrofs the Marfh 
Several times and they knew of but one place that 
it was fordable — I afked them if this crick had 
communication with the other above the point they 
Said they beleved not. they 'lad gon from the grate 
Rode by a Sertain log houu (which they defcribed) 
to the Stone houfe on the Point in a foot path in 
which they crofsed only a \ ery Small Rum and that 
it was hard ground in general 

the bridge over the crick at the upper end of the 
point is not only Striped of the plank but the String 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 139 

pieces are most of them gon the butment only Re- 
main good — I took my Stand this morning before 
light a few Rods from the old church the morning 
was not So favourable as I could have wifhed but I 
had Several fair obfervation as the Sun pafsed through 
the openings of the clouds I could See very little of 
the works on Stonney Point Northing to contradict 
my obfervation made from the hill on the weft Sid 
the River — on the beach South of the crick that 
Sepperets Stonney point or Island from the main 
I discovered a Small guard Round a fier — and on 
Vanplanks Point neare the edge of the hill coming onto 
the Marfh from the Stone houfe towards the bridge 
was alfo a fier where I conclude they had a picket 
in the night and from which a Sentry it is most pro- 
verble is pofted on the beech at or neare the Bridge 
haveing made all the obfervations in my power and 
being determened to come Immediately to camp I 
marched my party which confifted of fifty (Rank & 
file) and paraded them in open Vew Near the church 
they maned there works and the guad at the Stone 
houfe Turned out which Confifted of one officer and 
about 20 men. the Exceflive Rain while I was out pre- 
vented my being abel to perform the Service Sooner 
I am Sir your Humble Serv^ 

Exelency Genl WASHINGTON 

there is no posability of carrying artillery from peaks 
kill to the brick Houfe or church without pafsing the 
common Rode in that part oppofit the upper end of 
the Point 

Sence I Saw your Exelency in converfation with 
L* Col° Smith and Major Thompfon they Informed 
me that when a part of Col° Nixons Regiment was 
Stationed in Forte De La Fyette, they Examined 



I40 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the foot path (Spocken of by the Soldiers) leading off 
between the two cricks in ordor to make their Re- 
treat that way in cafe the Enimy had pofleflion of 
the two Bridges Col° Smith and Major Thomfon 
gave the Same account as mentioned by the Soldiers 
and add that at prefent no cariages can pafs that 
way but it may be made a Tollarable Rode, when I 
had determind to Return I Shew my party neare the 
church they maned there works and an officers 
guard of about 20 parraded by the Stone Houfe 
which Remains only Inclofed with an abbettee 

the bridge over Peeks kill below Continental vil- 
lage was brook up when our people left that Quarter 

LETTER TO HIS EXELENCY 

Light Infentry Camp Auguft 8th 1779 
Dear General 

Inclofed is a Coppy of a letter Just Recived from 
Col° Fleury. I have Some time meditated an attack 
on the Enemyes picket but from defertions from our 
parties below which has happened almofl every day 
this week pafl I have ben diverted from it Col*' 
Fleury yellerday propofed going down I thought 
the Wether favorable to the Defigne and hoped the 
event would have ben fortunate 

Col° Butler was down a few days ago with 150 
men he brought an ordor for them from General 
Wayne I know northing of his plan or the obferva- 
tion he made 

the Enimy have a Roe Boat up as far as Sailsburys 
Island 

I have nearly Complected a Circuler Flafh with 
two Embrefures at Fort Montgommery which Rake 
the River Quite from Antonys Nose to Fort Clinton 
— and one Embrefure that looks up the River 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 141 

I shael begin no other work with out your furthe 
ordors 

I am with the Highest Refpect your 
Excelencys Humble Serve* 

LETTER FROM GEN'' WAYNE ^ 

ACQUAKENCUNK BRIDGE 15th Nov. I 779 

One oclock. A. m. 

Dear Sir 

I am favored with yours of lo oClock last Even- 
ing & approve of your halt until you are fully In- 
formed of the truth or falsity of the Report, — 
should it prove true, you'l endeavor to discover the 
Enemie's numbers &c. & if thought practicable to 
attempt them, I will join you with the Remainder of 
the troops, — otherwise you'l retire with Caution, 

looking well to your left at Closter [?] Landing 

as the Enemy may Otherwise throw you by the 
Paramus Route — should it be a false alarm we per- 
haps may not have an Other Opportunity to Effect 
the businefs 

Yours Sincerely 

Ant'^ Wayne 
Colo Putnam 

A LETTER FROM GEN'' WAYNE 

Light Infantry Camp Second River 
nth Dec 1779 
Dear Sir 

His Excellency is very desirous to ascertain 
whether the Enemy have made an Embarkation 
or not, — I am Informed that from Peth Amboy 
which is about 20 Miles from this place, a very good 
view may be had of the Bay & Sandy Hook — 

^ In the collection of Charles G. Slack, Esq., Marietta, Ohio. 



142 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

which together with accounts to be procured from 
the Inhabitants, may enable you to determine whether 
an Considerable number have sailed 

I have directed an Officer & Eight Dragoons to 
attend at your quarters — and wish you to pro- 
ceed to that place or some other good lookout as 
soon as pofsible — you had better return as far as 
Eliz*^ Town this Evening — perhaps Col° Seeley 
may save you the trouble of proceeding further by 
Certain Intelligence of their Sailing — I wou'd there- 
fore wish you to call on him on your way down 
I am Sir your Hum^ Ser* 

Ant^ Wayne 

NB you will find an Order 
on any forage Master for 
such Hay or Grain as you 
may want for the use of the party 

Col° Putnam. 

COPPY OF LETTER TO PRESIDENT OF COUNCILL.^ 

Soldiers Fortune April ye 22d 1780 
Sir 

Agreeable to ordors recived from Major General 
Howe I have Sent Cap* Benj" Gardner Enfigne Pel- 
etiah Everitt and Enfign Clark with a Noncommif- 
fioned officer into the State on the recruting Service 

I have directed them to Notefie there arrivel to the 
Honorable Councill & Major General Heath and to 
follow their or his Inllructions or the Directions of the 
Field officer who may be appointed to Superintend 
the Recruiting Service 

I wifh them much Sucefs but I greatly feare they or 
any others will have little : one thing which I think 

1 Jeremiah Powell. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 143 

will Greatly Impead there Succefs is the Deduct- 
ing the Town Bounties in Ballancing the Soldiers 
accounts 

The Soldiers know very well how to Dillinguifh 
between Bounty and wages & that at the time of 
Inlifling ; the Town, as well as State and Contnantal 
Bounty was a part of the Contract Intirly Seperate 
from his wages and had no more apprehention of 
haveing it taken from him then any other part of his 
property 

I have not the Vanity of being thought a politician 
nor the Prefumtion to Teach the Senators of my 
Country — but I think the Honorable Council & 
Afembly ought to know and that it is my duty to tell 
you what the General Sentments of the officers of 
the army are on this head 

That the Town bounties are the legal acquired pro- 
perty of the Soldier, as much as any he PolTeses ; is 
to me a Self evident propofition and he that Should 
deny it would want better evidence then his Eyes to 
prove that the Sun Shined in a clear Day, nor will 
any I Suppofe deny but the Soldiers Property is 
as Legally obtained, and as Sacred as other peoples 
for althoe by a Body I would ever Revere the offi- 
cers of the Army are Excluded from Some of the 
priviledges of Denizens, yet I beleve none will ever 
pretend that the men who at your Call Steped forth 
into the field as it ware With Halters about there necks 
for the defence of Liberty and property ; who never 
have nor never Wifh to forfake its Caufe ; who thoe 
many times Naked and deflitute yet have Perfe- 
veared through could Wet and dry with a Virtue 
Unperleled in Hillory — I Say I Beleve none will 
ever pretend that the property of thefe men Should 
be lefs guarded then others or that any Leglifhleture 



144 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

on earth Shall Wantonly or Illegally Deprive them 
of a penny — 

Wherefore I conclude that if it be True that the 
Town Bountis was a Part of the Contract Intierly 
Separat from the Idea of Wages that this Bounty is 
the Soldiers legal acquired property as much as any 
he polTeses that this is as legally acquired and to be 
as Sacredly Guarded as other peopels 

Then it follows that it is not in the Power of any 
Leglifhlature on earth to Discese him of it without 
Violateing the Natural Rights of mankind — Unlefs it 
be by legal Forfiture — What crime is chargable on 
the Soldier I am at a lofs to concve. I am told the 
deducting the Bounties is on the prinfible of equil 
Juflice, this Idea Implys that it was Injull or unlawfull 
for the Soldier after Serveing one and prehaps two 
Campaigns (and doing what they call there own 
turn) to Recive a Hire or bounty to do a Turn for 
any other Individuals or the Town at large ; that 
money obtained by Such Sail of Service even althoe it 
was don on the prinfible of makeing the Burden of 
the War Equil is no better then Robery and the party 
comes very well off if he meets with no other punifh- 
ment then the forfiture of the money So obtained — 
or this principle of doing equil Juftice mull Imply 
that the Soldiers Should have no Ideas of Seperate 
property or of acquired perfonal property but that 
What they have ben taught to confider as there own, 
is really the property of the State which they have a 
right to take when they pleafe or at leafl Such a part 
of it as will leve the Soldiers Equelly Poor 

on Such Ideas of Equil Juflice or any that can be 
drawn from the premifes I can concive no greater 
abfurdity in leveling the property of the whole Com- 
munity then in deducting the Town Bounty from the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 145 

Soldiers the one may be more difiquelt then the 
other to effect which is the only differenc I can Con- 
cive — I am aware that it will be objected that by 
the Refolve of February 1779 Refpecting Makeing 
good the depretiation of the Soldiers Wages the 
Town Bounties ware to be taken Into Confideration 
— to which I anfwer that the Court might as well 
have Refolved not to make good any depretiation 
as to have Refolved they would make it good only 
in part or which is the Same thing that the Town 
Bountys Should be Taken into Confideration and 
Charged as wages — to Say the leaft the only dif- 
ference is the one is a grater act of Injustice the 
other a lefs. but if the fore going propofitions are 
true the former is by no means of So dangerous a 
Tendency as the latter for as the Refufeing to make 
good the depretiation of the money would have ben 
no more then the Refufeing to pay a Jull debt on 
the Same prinfiple that paper money Should pay 
Silver debts, there would be no want of a prefident 
in its favor nor Pretended Reafons in its favor but 
for a Legliflature to take from me the property that 
I have acquired by privet Contract or any othe law- 
full means and for no other Reafon then Becaufe I 
have Traded to better advantage then othes — is 

a Meafure 1 will not name — and is big with a 

Mifchief I Shuder to think of 

Thus I have Indeavored to give you a Jufl Idea of 
the opinon the Army (So far as I am acquainted with 
there Sentments) entertain of the Matter and which 
to them appears an Infermountable obllical to the 
Recruiting men for the War — I may have don it 
in a language prehaps Quite UnCourtly and too In- 
dilicate for the ears of So August a Body to hear yet 
I can only apologize by Saying they are the sent- 



146 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

ments of an Independent Honell Hart ; & my only 
motive (in the painfull Tafk) is to give you that Infor- 
mation he thinks you ought to have that you 

may not have too grate dependence on filling your 
Regiment by Voluntary Inliflment when he thinks 
the profpect So very Small 

if I am MiHaken and there Ihould be any confider- 
able Number Inlifled I Ihall be mofl happily disap- 
ponted — but if the Contrerary and there Should be 
few Raifed or the Regiments filled with levies for a 
Ihort time which from the nature of there Ingagemt 
can by no means be depended on equil with Reguler 
Troops and any fatal Confequences fhould Enfue the 
World will Judge whither the Gentelmen of the army 
and they only are to Blame 

LETTER FROM COL° THOMPSON 

Long Island New Utricht May i. 1780 
Dear Sir 

Yours of April 19*^ Came to hand accept my Sin- 
cere thanks for your kind Wishes — as you Observe 
I have taken a Different Post from what I Expected 
but hope I shall Support it with the Fortitude of a 
Soldier, if Humanity is the Truly & Distinguished 
Characteristic of the Brave I am among those who 
are Truly So meaning the particular Family I live 
in — I am happy to hear my Friends In the Army 
are well, and that my Friend cap* Goodale is Better 
— your hopes of a General Exchange I fear are frus- 
trated — please make my Compliments to all the 
Gentlemen of my Acquaintance In the Army — Ac- 
cept the Thanks of the Whole of the Mafsachusets 
Officers for your very kind Afsistance to their Agent 
In procuring the Supply he has brought us. & De- 
pend they Each wish the Oppertunity to give you 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 147 

Thanks in person. In hopes this May foon be the 
Case — 

BeHeve Me to be 
Dear Sir 
Your Much Oblig'd 
& Most Obed* 
Hum^^ Servant 

Joseph Thompson 
Col. Putnam 

LETTER FROM GEN^ HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands. 
May 24th 1 780 
Dear Sir 

I have ordered sevanty five Men under a Maj'^from 
Gen^ Glovers Brigade, to hold themselv's in constant 
readinefs to Join you when ever you should order it, 
which you will do when you think it necefsary — 

I think Col. Miller should be inform' d of your ap- 
proach, and design, and that you should aid, and 
cooperate with each other should it become requisite. 
If you should outstay the Provision you have been 
served with, and can not supply yourself where you 
are, you will apply to Commifsary Forsyth, or any 
other Commifsary you think proper — It would not 
be improper to have some look outs upon the River 
below you, lest the Enemy while they amuse us an- 
other way, should operate that way, especially as the 
Gen^ Writes me that they have Vefsels in the North 
River 

I am Dear Sir 
NB With Respect 

I enclose you a letter to V Most Ob<^ Se* 

Col. Miller, which you will Robt Howe 

read Seal and forward to 
him as soon as pofsible 



148 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Sir if you should have 
occasion to send to me you 
will find me at M"" Beckmans 
or hear of me there 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 
CONTINANTAL ViLAGE, May 24th 1780. loClock A M 

Dear General 

on further Conlideration of the Matter I have de- 
termined to take poll between the New Bridge and 
Pines Bridge So as to be able to fall in with the 
enimy in cafe they attempt to Steal a March by the 
Fords and from whence I fhall be ready to move to 
the right or left in cafe they Should pafs by eithr of 
the Bridges which I think is mofl proverble as a 
Body of Horfe muH be Exceedingly embarrafed in 
there march by any other Rout, my opinion is that 
they will Come up by Pines bridge and Return by 
the New and proverblay a Body of Infentry may 
advance if not Crofs at the New Bridge to cover 
there Retrete with the Booty and the Sittuation I 
propofe from the nature of the Country will Inable 
me to Fall in with the Horfe while Seperated from 
the foot while the party from the Ferry and the 
guard at Colla Bergh will be able to amufe the foot 
Should any appere or act againll the Horfe as oca- 
tion may offer 

100 men from Nixons officers Included left this 
place at Sunrife this morning — I have waited for 
Glovers till now that I might Send you there Num- 
ber — they are not arrived I wait no longer 

the Troops have taken three days provition, 
Should any more be ordored on plefe to let it be 
lodged at Hayns where the officer of the guard for 
the Newbridge keeps if you write to me this day or 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 149 

night Major Strong [?] will direct the Exprefs where 
I may be found northing Turning up tomorrow 
morning I fhall be at Hayns 

I am Dear Sir yours with 
Refpect 

RuFus Putnam 

LETTER FROM GEN^ HEATH 

RoxBURY May 25th 1780 
Dear Sir 

Your favor of the as'^ ulto came duly to hand. I 
would have made application to the Hon*^^^ the Gen- 
eral Afsembly for the promotions mentioned in your 
Letter, had not a Refolve of Congrefs which I appre- 
hend you had not seen at the Time of writing your 
Letter barr^ it. I hope to have the pleafure of take- 
ing you by the hand in a few Days, and have many 
things to say, will defer the whole to that time. — 
We have no news except from the Southward. 
I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

Your Obedient Serv* 

W Heath 
Colonel Putnam 

LETTER FROM GEN'' HOWE 

Headquarters Highlands 25* May 1780 
Dear Sir 

My Intelligence makes me certain the Enemy 
have heard of our Movements & have temporarily 
suspended the Execution of their Plan, at the same 
time as I hear the Horse they have collected are not 
return' d to their former Owners & Stations, which 
they would not be at the Expence of foraging were 
their Intentions absolutely laid aside. — I think it 
may not be improper by some Movements to imprefs 



I50 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

them with the Idea that you have retired to the 
Highlands by which Means they may be led to exe- 
cute their Scheme — & you have an Opportunity of 
entrapping them — For this Purpose three or four 
Days Provision for you shall be sent to King's Ferry, 
instead of sending it to Haine's, & you will make 
your Movements in such Manner as is best calcu- 
lated for deceiving the Enemy, which by moving off, 
& by other Methods, & by returning in the Night 
with Suddennefs & Secresy to some convenient Post, 
may pofsibly be effected. — 

You will endeavour to obtain every pofsible Infor- 
mation of the Enemy's Motions & Designs, of which 
you will give me the earliest Information — 
I am Dear Sir 

with great Respect 
your most obedient 

Robert Howe 

LETTER TO GEN'' HOWE 
CoLLABERGH May 25th 1780 6 Clock P M 

Dear General 

I Sent your letter by Exprefs to Col° Millir yeller- 
day, a line from him is this moment come to hand 
— no Intilligence of the enimy in his Quarter — (he 
is on the Rode from Pine bridge — Youngs) — the 
Patrolls I Sent to wards Singfmg lafl night Reported 
that the Inhabitent Informed them the Enimy ware 
up as far as Stincoxs [?] above Tary Town on the 
River Rode but by accounts from perfons I Sent 
down this Morning I beleve they ware not but that 
the Report was fpread laft night by Some Villins who 
went off to New york from Singling I fhall PoU my 
Self this night between the Bridges and may be herd 
of tomorrow at Pine Bridge 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 151 

Our Provition will be out tomorrow night I have 
Sent my ordors to M"" Forfyth for Provitions for four 
days to be Sent to Hayns Houfe unlefs you think 
Proper I Should Retire when the prefent Supply is 
out — I have no doubt but they have Intiligence in 
New york of my being in this quarter and will Pro- 
verbly delay there Ravage till they here I am Re- 
tired and may then undertake it if you think Proper 
I Should tarry longer I beg leve to Suggest whither 
it would not be Proper to ordor the Provitions I have 
wrote for to Kings Ferry that I ihould on Saturday 
Morning give out that I am coming up to the High 
lands and March accordingly for that Quarter but 
altering my courfe march to kings Ferry and Return 
the first or Second Night to a proper poll in this 
Quarter, whither it might not be more likely they 
would come out Soon then my continuing here 

I hoope for your further directions by the bairer 
Should you order me up when my prefent Supply is 
out or that I Should retire to Kings Ferry it will be 
NefelTary Major Campbell Should have your ordor 
where to Send the Provition otherwife I Suppose 
they will Com on to Hayns agreeable to what I have 
wrote to him 

I am &" — 
Gen^ Howe 

LETTER FROM GEN*" HOWE 

Head quarters Highlands 26'h May 1780 

Dear Sir 

The enclos'd letter ^ written previous to the Recep- 
tion of your favour 2 which came to me just now, will 
shew you how much we Coincide in opinion. You 
will therefore take your measures Accordingly — 

1 Page 149. 2 Page 150. 



152 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Capt" Bannister wrote me the last Evening that you 
had Called for the Fatigue men from Verplanks 
Point, if they are not immediately necefsary, I should 
wish them returned as I want these works Completed 
as soon as pofsible, and you may Call them out 
Again the moment you find it requisite. You will 
guide your Self however as to Returning them or 
Calling them out, as circumstances and your own 
Discretion shall point out to be proper. I am sir 
with much Respect 

Your most ob* Servant 

R Howe 

LETTER FROM GEN^ HOWE 

Verplank's 28tii May 

Dear Sir 

I make no doubt you will pursue every Measure 
to gain Intelligence of the Enemy's Movements, of 
which you will transmit me an instant Account. I 
shall remain at, or about this Place until Eve^. — I 
have ordered Nixon's Brigade to advance to Peek's 
Kill Church, near to M"^ Beckman's — should it be- 
come necefsary for them to advance, you will trans- 
mit them Orders, — notifying however the matter to 
me, that I may know what you are doing, & govern 
myself accordingly. 

I am Dear Sir 
Your most obedient Servant 

Robert Howe 

LETTER TO GEN'' HOWE 

Sing Sing May 28th 1780 — 4Clock pm 
Dear Gen^ 

There was about 40 of the Enimy Horfe here about 
7 or 8 Clock in the morning but Retired foon being 
Informed there ware 300 men at the bridge — I 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 153 

arrived my Self at Collabergh by 12 & immediatly 
Dispatched a Ser* & Six Soldiers of the guard on 
Horfe back to obferve there motions and bring me 
Intiligence I have had no Return as yet therefore I 
prefume the enemy have Retired at left as far as 
Terry Town — on the Troops arriveing here I dis- 
patched an officer and party to march in Som of 
the bye Tracts as far down as pofable and Return 

to-morrow M"" Odel this moment arrived 3 mile 

below Terry Town Informs that the enimy pafsed 
his houfe on there Return about 1 1 Clock AM — 
he thinks there ware about 50 or 60 on Horfe back 
he Saw no foot but heard of Small partys being out 
and Plundering Some bye Settelments he beleves 
the Horfemen had about 40 head of cattle with them 
— they carry^ of Som Inhabitents prifonr Justice 
Shearwod was made prifonr but parolled with Some 
others 

Unfortunate for me I was not at the bridge as they 
were Informed they are now beyond my Reach 

Nixons Brigade cannot be wanted — Benfon will 
Return to the Point this night 

I fhall take my Quarters at Collabergh where I 
Shall be a day or two makeing Proper menover in 
the night 

I am fir with efteem y'' 
Humble Servnt 

RuFus Putnam 
Gen^ Howe 

LETTER TO GENL HOWE 

COLLA BERGH JunC ye ist 1780 

Dear Gen^ 

Your favor of equel date is before me in my laft I 
informed you that it was Sill my opinion the enimy 
would not attempt any thing on this Side Croton 



154 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

while I continued in this Quarter that if you 

Should think proper to continue me here for any 
time I Should wifh to have it in my Power to detach 
Small party from time to time at leafl as low as 
Dobs ferry with Six or Eight days provition to form 
Ambufhments on the publik Roads and privet ways 
by which the enimy commonly advance as a means 
of gaining the earlieft Intiligence and which would 
be a moll Proverble method of Surprizeing Some of 
there Small parties — that in ordor to do this either 
a Commefary Store Should be keept here or Some 
Extra provition Should be lodged here for the Sup- 
ply of Such Small parties that if you thought proper 
to ordor a Brigade here leaveing all there havay bag- 
gage behind a Boate or two would always Secure the 
Stoars — they would be a fupport to Col° Miller in 
cafe of any movement againt him and In my opinion 
Efectually Cover Crompond — which I think ought 
to be protected if pofable 

Sence I wrote you laft I have marched with the 
paty in the moft unfrequented Routs through Woods 
Field &c — to Sing Sing — North Caflle Pines Bridge 
— Crompond and Returned here to day. I have now 
three days provition on hand — a Scout Confisting 
of a I Sub — I Ser* 2 Copl 20 privet March this 
night on the prinliple before Sugested with ordor to 
Continu out till there provition is expended Whene 
ever I have bin here a picket Commanded by a Sub 
is Polled on the North Sid of Croton to Patroll in the 
night between the two Bridges at Day light they 
Crofs the River Traverfe the Country foure or five 
mile South and Return in the after noon 

as I have not taken any pirticular Stand till now 
I have not medeled with the guard at the New Bridge 
but as the River is Fordable in almofl any Place 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 155 

Should the Enimy advance to Crompond the Rout 
they are Likely to take is more Determinable by the 
Perticuler Raing of Mountains &*= &<= then any other 
circumflance — on this prinfiple I Shall tomorrow 
ordor the Sub & that part of his guard now at this 
place up to Pine bridge with orders to occupie Dur- 
ing the night Some perticuler Pafs in that Quarter 
I am Sir your Humble 
Ser^ 

LETTER FROM GEN^ HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands 3d June 1780 
Dear Sir 

Intelligence I have received makes it necefsary to 
compact our Force, & to be attentive rather to defen- 
sive than offensive Operations ; for this Reason it 
will be proper for you to return to your Brigade, 
most of the Troops under your Command, & the 
situation of Matters does not admit of Delay — 

As every Means pofsible should be fallen upon for 
obtaining Provisions to support the Troops here 
where Investiture is not improbable, I should wish 
you to take Measures to collect, principally in the 
Counties towards the Enemy, a Number of Cattle in 
the Manner least distrefsing to the Inhabitants — 

This you may effect either in Person or by Direc- 
tions to Col Miller & to carry into Execution the 
Measure, the Imprefsing Horses may not be omitted, 
should it be necefsary — ) 

If you find it convenient to go in Person, which I 
should rather wish, take a Detachment of fifty men 
of your present Command, & proceed to or direct 
Col Miller to meet you at such Place as you shall 
appoint — still holding in Mind your Relation to this 
Post, & the Necefsity of repairing to it with Expi- 
dition the Moment it becomes requisite — 



156 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

(The Cattle taken should be particularly noticed, that 
the Persons deprived of them may have them safely 
return'd should we not use them (which in Cases of 
Necefsity alone will happen) & that they may be paid 
for them should Occasion compel us to make use of 
them — 

An Officer of your Prudence & Knowledge of Ser- 
vice need not be told that all your Vigilance will be 
requisite upon this Occasion, & that as the Enemy will 
certainly counteract your Measures if they can, that 
Expidition is the Soul of your Enterprise & the only 
Foundation upon which the Succefs of it depends — 
I am Dear Sir 

With Respect 
Your most obedient Servant 

I do not mean you should go much lower than our 
Lines to collect the Cattle I mention because I can 
not suppose many can be obtain' d from thence, but 
those Cattle which are most expos' d to the Enemy 
within our Lines & those below them which can safely 
& expiditiously be had should first claim Attention — 

You will inform me from Time to Time where you 
may be found, that I may send to you should it be 
necefsary — 

I inclose a Letter to Col Miller which is open for 
your Inspection — Be pleas' d to read & forward it — 

LETTER FROM GEN^ HOWE 

Highlands 4th June 1780 
Dear Sir 

From late Intelligence I'm induced to believe the 
Operations of the Enemy will not be so sudden as I 
have expected — you will therefore continue with your 
Command upon the Lines until you shall hear fur- 
ther, from me — Those of your Men detached in 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 157 

Consequence of my Orders of Yesterday, I shall 
immediately replace from this Post — 
I am Dear Sir 

Your most obedient 

Rob"^ Howe 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 

COLLA BERK June ye 4th 1780 

Dear Gen^ 

your favor of the 3*^ inftent^ came to hand at 12 
Clock laft night, with an open letter to Col^ Miller 
(my letter was not Signed nor directed but on the 
Rapper) I have marked the contents of bothe — as 
I have not noted any cattle Southward of Croton but 
a few Milk Cows and as Col°Miller is much better 
acquainted with the Number of catde in his Quarter 
then I am a Detachment of 50 men will March for 
his Quarter this Morning — to enable him to Execute 
your ordors of which I Shall Send him Such extracts 
as will be neceffary for him to have — the Remainder 
of the detachment will march to Joyne there Brigade 
by II- or 12 this day to which time I Shall wait for 
the gentry below as I have Recei^^ Information from 
below that makes it not ImProverble they will be up 
to day either in Small numbers or in Force — 
I am Sir with refpect you Humble 
Serv* 

RuFus Putnam 
Gen^ Howe 

LETTER FROM GENERAL HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands 
June s'h 1780 

Dear Sir — 

I was over at West Point when your last letter 
arrived, and in coming over some way or other it got 

1 Page 155. 



158 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

lost, so that I know not its contents — Please imme- 
diately inform me what it contained — 

I think you had better continue out a few days 
longer, and if you think it necefsary send out some 
Parties where you think it proper to do so, if there 
is any object for it — The Enemy have not yet re- 
turned the Horses they imprefsed to the owners of 
them, and I dare say mean to come out again, it will 
therefore be necefsary for you to have good intelli- 
gence of their motions, and to be guarded at all 
Points as they may come out in Force against you — 
I am Dear Sir 
With Respect 

V Most Ob^ Hum Ser* 

Robert Howe 

LETTER FROM GEN'' HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands 
June 6th 1780 
Dear Sir. 

The information of last night & this morning, 
various ways receiv'd confirm me that the Enemy 
are coming out in Force. Colo Sproat will deliver 
you the Gen^ Order of today. I wish you to move 
with the utmost dispatch with such Troops as you 
can get ready, and let the rest follow you. — Your 
object is what it was when you went out before, 
your then Orders will do for you now — another 
smart Detachment of Guards join'd Delancy yester- 
day morning, and some more Horse, the men were 
all served with ammunition, their arms scrutinously 
examined, and some new arms served out. Boats 
were collected and collecting, their Gaily the last 
evening came higher up the River, they mean to 
act both by land and Water, you will therefore have 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 159 

all your Eyes about you, and let Colo. Miller know 
of this, and also how to commune and cooperate 
with you — 

I am Sir 

with Respect 
P S Your most O.b. Ser* 

You need not halt ROBERT HoWE 

at Peekskill but 
proceed where service 
Requires you — 

LETTER TO GEN'' HOWE 

CoLLA BERGH — Barrats House June 8th 1780 
Dear Gene^ 

I arrived about 2 Clock the night we left the vil- 
age — northing new has transpired in this Quarter 
Sence 

the letter forwarded with this I receved from Col° 
Miller 

I Send you prifoner a perfon who Calls him Self 
George Moulton Sais he belongs to Burgoins Con- 
vention troops Deferted from them when they ware 
on there March to Virginia — that he Returned to 

Maflachusetts State Inlifled in one of there 

Regiments Some months paft Re*^ 300 Dollars State 
bounty of M"^ Newell at Leicefler Mufler Mullrd for 
the County of Worcefler that he marched for Camp 
with a Ser* whofe name he has forgot as alfo the 
name of the Col° or Lt C° of the Reg* he was to 
Joyne that he deferted the Ser* neare Doc- 
tor Perreys in Crompond was taken up by Som men 
going to Col° Millers about 3 mile from Pines bridge 

Col° Miller Sent him to me laft evening 

I am Sir with due Refpect 
your Humble Serv* 

RuFus Putnam 
Geni Howe 



i6o OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 

COLLA BERGH June ye 9th 1780 
Dear General 

Northing new in this Quarter Sence my lafl — I 
send you a perfon who calls him Self James Griffin 
and that he is a Difarter from the 1 7*^ Reg* of Britifh 
Light Draggoons he was taken up at Sing Sing by 
a Scouting party yellerday morning Sais he was 
going from Connecticut to philidelphia to Seek 
labour but it is a doubt with me wether he was not 
going 

I have Directed the Commefary of gen^ Nixons 
Brigade to move his Store to Peeks kill landing, and 
Shall draw my Supplys of provition from him 

If you think proper to ordor M'' Auflin Conducted 
to the Brigade now at Fifh kill or any other Con- 
ducted to lodge three Hundred Dozen of Cartridgs 
with Capt Banefler we can Supply our Selves from 
that Quarter when ever we have ocation 
I am Sir with efleam your 
Humble Servent 

LETTER TO GEN'' HOWE 

CoLLABERGH — June nth 1780 

Dear General 

I Send you under guard a perfon who calls him 
Self Philip Conner Sais he diferted the Enimy I 
inclofe you the account he gave of himfelf here 

I afked him many Queflion Relateing to the Cores 
number and Sittuation of the Enimy but could git 
northing from him he was taken up between Pins 
bridge and Sing Sing by a patroll who meet him in 
the Roade on the top of a hill So that it was not in 
his power to efcape them after they came in light he 
was armed in Cow boy moade I have detained him 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE i6i 

two days in hops to git Some further account of his 
Real Carractor as its doubtfull to me whither he is a 
Diferter or not but can learn northing further then 
his own account — we have No accounts from below 
I am Dear Gen^ with Refpect 
your Humble Serv* 

RuFUS Putnam 
Gen^ Howe 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 

CoLLABERGH June ye nth 1780. loh A : M : 

Dear General 

by a perfon from below arrived this moment I 
am Informed that it is reported and fully beleved 
by Whig and Tory in the Neighbourhood of Kings 
Bridge that the enimy have had a Sevear Drubing 
in the Jerfey a HeUian gen' killed and a Britifh Mor- 
tally Wounded that between three & foure hundred 
Wounded are brought into New york that yeller- 
day or the day before all the Troops that could be 
fpaired ware drawn from York & long Island as 
a reinforfement that all the Britifh horfe except De- 
lances are in the Jerfys — I hope this is all true I 
beleve the Varafety of the Man is not to be doubted 
and that our frinds below fully beleve the report — 
but my Informant dos not Stop here — he Sais the 
Refuges cannot be reinforced and now is the time to 
take them off — for my own part was there a proper 
garrifon at West Point and it dependencs, I Should 
prefs your Honnor for leve to make the attempt In 
Conjuntion with Col° Shepard and Col^ Miller — 
but whither the Beeting is So Compleat as reported 
whither the Troops Said to be drawn off as a rein- 
forcement may not be now on Board of Tranfports 
in the Bay, whither the Troops reembarking from 



i62 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Elifabeth Town the whole may not proceed Imme- 
diately up the river haveing Drawn his Exelency 
Gen^ Wafhington quite down in to that Quarter are 

Queftions I think ought to be Confidered and 

whither in cafe of our making the attempt and an 
accident Should befall us the Confequence might 
not prove fatal to the pofl of Wefl Pont — from 
thefe Confiderations I cannot Importune for leve but 
if you think proper to ordor it it will gratifie many 
officers and will be 

Cherfully undertaken by 

Sir your mofl obedient 
Humble Servent 

RuFus Putnam 

LETTER FROM GEN*- HOWE 

Dear Sir 

I am obliged to you for the informations you give 

me, and hope they are true 1 imagine I shall 

meet official accounts at Kings Ferry where I shall 
be to day, in order to make some arrangments. If 
you are at Callaberg and can without inconvenience 
come to Kings Ferry, I should be glad to speak with 
you. if you can not come if you send a Person to 
me I should be glad, as I may have something to do 
in consequence of the Exprefs I hope to have from 
Head Quarters, dont come if service will suffer by 
it if not I should be glad to see you I shall be there 
and there about until afternoon and shall look for 
you as soon as posfible if as I said above it is con- 
venient I am with Respect Dear Sir 

yr most ob serv 

R Howe 

Monnday, June 12th 1780 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 163 

LETTER FROM GEN^ HOWE 

Dear Sir 

The news I have had from Morristown, instead of 
puting it in my power to act offensively, requires me 
to Compact my Force — You will therefore retire to 
Callaberg-, or in a situation so much in the Vicinity 
of West Point — that You can repaire to it upon the 
shortest notice — 

I am Dear Sir Your 
June 1 2th 80 Obedient Ser* 

R Howe 
Col° Putnam 

LETTER [orders] FROM GEN*- HOWE 

Head Quarters 16* June 1780 
Dear Sir 

The Gen^ directs that you instantly return with 
the Troops under your Command to your old Can- 
tonment at the Village ; No Time is to be lost — 
your most obedient 

W Sargent 
Aide de Camp 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 

COLLABERGH June ye 1 6th 1780 

Dear General 

Cap* Serjents letter of this day ^ Signifiing your 
Pleafure that I fhould Return to the Vilage is before 
me 

I fhall be there before Morning at leall as far as 

Peeks kill or the Bald Hill except a Scout which 

are below I fhall notifie Col° Miller of my with- 
drawl — the laft accounts from Below is that the 

1 Page 163. 



164 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

prifoners ware Removed out of the Shugar Houfe 
on Board of Ship 

the air is clear and no VelTels appear in the River 
I am Dear Gen yr Humble 
Serv* 



LETTER FROM GEN^ HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands 
June 1 8th 1780 

Dear Sir — 

The Enemy with some of their Ships are ofi Fal- 
lows point, and others lie at Sing-Sing, in their way 
up they came to, and cannonaded the Shore off Sing- 
Sing, and its thought Landed men. I would wish 
you to set out, so as to arrive at or about Collebar- 
rack by daylight with a small party of Twenty five, 
or Thirty men in order to make observations and 
gain Intelligence. — I have directed Col° Miller who 
is at Crompond to move to Collebarrack, so as to be 
there about the same time, and have ordered him 
(without taking notice that you were Detached) in 
case he fell in with a Superior officer to join him if 
necefsary, or if with an Inferior officer (not Attached 
to a Post) to order him to join his command should 
it be requisite. You will therefore govern yourself 
accordingly, and not communicate the contents of 
this letter, you are not to forget that you are to re- 
pair to this Post whenever it is requisite, and not to 
leave it so far in your Rear, but that you can be up 
to it in time. You will acquaint me where you are, 
and give me the earliest notice of any thing worthy 
of observation. — 

as Patrolling Parties of Sheldons, Millers, and 
Banisters [?] may be out, you will be careful no 
mistake happens. — 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 165 

Should a small Party of Horse of Ten, or Twelve 
be requisite to you, write to Col. Sheldon at Crom- 
pond in my name, and they will I doubt not be fur- 
nished. — 
N B I am Sir 

I have written to Col° Graton With Respect 
to detach you, but should he your Most Ob* Sert 
be out of the way, you will Rob"^ Howe 

not wait his return, but pro- 
ceed with the Party agreeable 
to this order — 

LETTER FROM GEN^ HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands 24th June 1780 
Dear Sir 

The Enemy are Advanceing in great Force on the 
West side of the River by Land, and are imbark'd 
and progrefsing up the River with a considerable 
Body of Troops in Vefsels — 

Be cautious they do not double you by Water from 
their Vefsels, or crofs the River when you dont ex- 
pect it and Surprise you, or cut off your Communi- 
cation with this Post, to which you are not to forget 
you are to repair, when your own Observation or 
Orders from Hence make it necefsary — 

My Intelligence you may depend is Authentic 
I am Sir with respect and regard 
Your most Ob^^ H Ser* 

RoB'^ Howe 
Colo Putnam 

LETTER FROM GEN"- HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands ist July 1780 
Dear Sir 

I am exceedingly anxious for very particular rea- 
sons to have an Exact Account of the situation of 



i66 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the Enemy — and wish you could Employ proper 
Persons to Obtain it — 

The Orders I have received you need not be told 
restrains me from Enterprise — but as to any adven- 
tures of a Day under the Restrictions you mention — 
I should have no Objections to — though I confefs 
as the Enemy are in force from Philips's to New 
Rochelle, I do not discern the Object of it — I wish it 
was Convenient for you to see me Early Tomorrow 
Morning as I want to speak to you — 
I am Dear Sir 

with great Esteem 

Your most Ob'^ H Ser* 

R : Howe 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 

CoLLA Bergh July I — 1 780 
Dear General 

by an officer returned from Scout lafl night and 
other Intiligence I am informed that the Enimy Some 
day this week advanced in force by land from New 
york and are now Encamped haveing there left on 
the North River one mile above Philips and there 
right on the Roade from Stephen Wards to E Chef- 
ter (by this polition there Right and left wyng is 
about 5 mile dillent and from the Nature and Sit- 
tuation of the Country there Camps is Detached or 
Seperated there left Devition being on Philips Hill 
between North River and Sawmill River there Cen- 
ter Divition on Voluntines Hill between Sawmill 
River and the Brunks there Right Devition between 
the Brunks and E. Cheller a Sketch of the Country 
which I gave you will from what I have Said give you 
a Jull Idea of there polition — tis Said and I beleve 
it to be a fact that a Number of waggon and Sythes 
for Cuting of Forage Came out yellerday 







POSITION' OF THE BRITISH AT PHILLIPS, JULY. 17S0 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 167 

I think if it be True that A french Fleet is really 
on there way M"" Clinton is come out to give his 
Troops an airing after the fetegue and other Suffering 
in a Southern Climate and at the Same time has a 
Difgne to Secure or Dellroy all the Forage in his 
Power which might otherwife be of advantage to us 
— and I Should not be Supprized if he attempts A 
general Ravage of the Country as far as Salem or 
Danbury 

I am Dear Gen^ with Refpect 

your Humble Servent 

RuFus Putnam 
Gen^ Howe 

LETTER TO GEN"- HOWE 

COLLA Bergh July ye 5th 1780 

Dear General 

A Prifoner is on his way up who calls himfelf 
Robert Humble Sais he is a Soldier in the Britilh 
Corps Called the Queens Rangers — was Taken in 
New Jerfey about a Fortnight ago made his efcape 
from a guard at Springfield Crofsed at kings Ferry 
and was taken by my Scouts two days Sence near 
M"^ Youngs on his way to New york — this may be 
all true but he appears to me to anfwer very nearly 
to the Defcription of one of thofe who brook from the 
Provoft at Fort Put — a few days ago — there is alfo 
coming on a Deferter from the Yajer Core who came 
in yellerday 

Lall evening came in Capt Culhing from below — 
the Britifh the 3^ ware Incamped in the Same pofi- 
tion I wrote you the other Day Viz there Right be- 
low Stephen Wards at the Fork of the Roade leading 
from E Cheller to White Plains and Philips there 
left on the North River one mile above Philips Sir 



i68 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Henry Clintns Quartrs at Philips Houfe — Report 
Sais they are 8000 or mor and all agree Near all 
there army except the Proper Garifons are out — 
there Picket on the North River Roade is at Abra- 
ham Vinfents two mile advanced and they Patrole 
as far as Dobs Ferry every Morning either Horfe or 
Foot and Some tims both that they have about 130 
Horfe befides Delances Corps that the Shiping are 
moflly in the Eaft River that mofl of thofe who lay 
by Phillips fell down the 3^^ Inllent No Forageing 
Parties in Front of there line was heard of 

five or Six of the Enimy fired on Some inhabit- 
ents [?] about one mile from the New bridge y^ 2^^ 
and wounded one man badly but not Mortally 

LETTER FROM GEN^' HOWE 

Head Quarters y^'^ July 1780 
Dear Sir 

Those Ravages you speak of committed by a set 
of Men who are wicked enough to build their For- 
tunes on the Ruin of their Fellow Citizens, are you 
may be afsured Circumstances of infinite Regret & 
Anxiety to me. — I shall transmit a Copy of your 
Letter to Governor Clinton, & enforce the Necefsity 
of his immediate Influence & Exertions, & that is all 
I can do, without He will call for, & point out a par- 
ticular Mode of coercion in us — which if he will do 
(& I will prefs it upon him) shall by me be adopted 
with Pleasure. — I dislike the Removal of Sheldon's 
Horse — it was done without my Knowledge, & I 
shall remand him — I wish to have your Opinion 
where he had better be, & whether you could not 
be more advanced without suffering Surprise, & still 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 169 

answering the Purpose of repairing to this Place in 
Time — 

I am Dear Sir with great Regard 
your most obedient 

R Howe — 

This Letter was wrote before the Receipt of yours 
by the Serjeant of your Detachment — the Gen^ will 
answer it fully to Morrow or next Day — 

W Sargent — 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 

Crom pond July ye 7th 1780 De La Vans 
Dear General 

Haveing ben Informed by the people of Crompond 
that Col° Sheldin had moved five or Six mile in the 
rear of Cap* De La Vans [?] (haveing Detached Cap* 
Cufhing with his Company to North Callle to Joyne 
Cap* Sacket agreable to what was proposed when I 
Saw you lall) I Marched to this place yefterday Morn- 
ing and as the Shiping are Hailed Round into the 
Eafl River I Shall not return to Colla Bergh with out 
you ordor or a movement of the Enimy make it 
neceffary and while the Enemy continue there Ship- 
ing in the Eafl River I think that cannot happen 

I Send you a Black who calls him Self Robert 
Sais he belongs to Col° Moyland was taken Prifoner 
last fall and now Diferted the British but Cap* Gush- 
ing who took him up Sais he is Supposed to have 
Diferted Moyland lafl fall and came up now with 
foure other on a Plundering match 

I am with the higheft efleme 

you Humble Serv* 

R P 
Gen^ Howe 



I70 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

LETTER TO GEN' HOWE 

Crompond July ye 9th 1780 
Dear General 

Major Horton is Returned from the Enimys lins 
where he went with a Flag he was Clofly confined 
the whole time he was there and got Very little In- 
tiligenc the Sittuation of the Enimys Incampment 
is the Same we have ben Heretofore Informed his 
opinion from good informatii^n makes the Britifh 
Horse Including Delances Core 400 — I cannot learn 
any Sertainty of the Shiping being in the Eaft River 
— an officer of mine whome I Sent to Afertain that 
matter is Jufl Returned and Reports He could Dis- 
covr none which he could not fail of doing had they 
Lain at White Stone the ufual place of randezsvos 
when on there eaftern Enterprize — but they might 
have lain between Hell gate and Hunts Point — or 
prehaps they may be between Hell gate and New 
york — the High lands, between Clofler and Fort 
Lee on the Weft Side the River is the beft place for 
a look out of this kind 

You favor of the 7^^ Infln* ^ came to hand lafl even- 
ing I have now 4 days provition on hand and Shall 
this night Crofs the Croton tomorrow night be at 
Colla Bergh and the 4*^ day back to this Quarter In 
this Toure I Shall be able to aquant my Self better 
with refpect to the forage and other Ideas Sugefted 
in you letter then at prefent I am — by Tuesday you 
may expect to here from me again 

I am Informed the Pay Masters have recv'^. Cloath- 
ing for there refpective regiments I fhould be ex- 
ceeding glad thofe gentelmen might be ordored to 
Forward the proportion belonging to this Detachment 

1 Page 168. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 171 

to Cola Bergh or Crompond on the 14*^ Inilent or on 
any other day or place you Shall think proper and 
I will be at the place with the Detachment the men 
here are in much Want Some of the Pay Mailers 
have wrote to have the men Sent up this cannot be 
with out Injury to the Line 

LETTER FROM GEN'' HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands 

13th July 1780 

Dear Sir — 

Inclin'd as I have been and always shall be to an- 
swer your letters, it has not been in my power untill 
this moment, which I Embrace to do my Self that 
pleasure, and now have scarce time to say five Words 

I knew not of the manouvers of the Horse untill 
some days after it was made and Disliking the Post 
they took, directed Col° Sheldon to alter it — I will 
now order him to Act with you — 

I approve the movements you have made, and 
shall have no Objections to any future ones you find 
is Consistant with Prudence and Service to make, 
always however holding in mind your Relation to 
this Post, as has been before Set forth — 

I want much to learn the Situation of the Enemy, 
and to know if any Partizan Stroke could be made 
where the Benefit would warrant the Risque — I 
am laying my self out for this Purpose on both Sides 
of the River, and should be glad you would do the 
Same, and lay your intelligence before me. Very 
discreet Sensible as well as Confidential Persons 
should be imploy'd upon this Occasion, or ill Con- 
siquenc's may Ensue — 

I beg your Pardon for forgetting untill this mo- 
ment what you requested about the Clothing — I 



172 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

have been in such hurry and Confusion that it in- 
tirely Slipt my Memory — I hope no inconvenience 
has happen' d, let me know the Clothing, and if I 
can Still serve you in it, for I observe the Day you 
appointed is too near now — 
I am Dear Sir 

with great Regard 

Your most Ob^ Ser* 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 

Crom Pond July ye 14th 1780 
Dear General 

I mull once more Intreat that the Pay Mailers be 
obliged to forward Cloathing to the Troops at Crom- 
pond or that the men may be releved by thofe who 
have Shos &^ — by Mens time Expiring by Some 
being allowed to go to there Regn** to git cloathing 
and not returning nor any in there room the conti- 
nantal Troops now on the lins (except Cap* Culhing 
Company of which I have no late returns but from 
the lafl it cannot be above 50) is reduced to 163 non- 
commiffioned officers & Privets foure of thefe from 
the New Hamplhire line diferted lall night, from the 
Infpection which I made (perfonally) yellerday, 73 
of thefe have no Shoes or Shuch as are very little 
better than none many of them have only a Single 
ragged Shirt to there back and Some have none at 
all 

the men of the Maflachufetts line know the Pay 
Mailers have Drawn Cloathing very lately they are 
Conllantly makeing application to come up for the 
Purpos of giting Some — this mode I cannot by any 
means think proper or Confistent with the Service 
efpecially while our number on the lines are So Small 
— in our prefent Sittuation we cannot under take 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 173 

any more night marches nor are we in a Sittuation 
to act offencively or Defencively in this Ruff country 
the mens feet being very lame already for want of 
Shoes 

I am Dear Sir with 

refpect you Hum 
Sert 

RuFus Putnam 
Gen* Howe 

LETTER FROM GEN'' HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands i6th July 1780 
Sir 

You will please grant a Flag to carry down Phebe 
Langdon and Hannah Vincent with seven children 
and two waggons & Drivers with their Bedding & 
wearing Apparel to the Enemy's Lines if you do not 
like the Drivers get some you can Depend upon I 
am Sir with Respect 

Your most ob* Serv* 

R Howe 

LETTER TO GEN^ HOWE 

Joseph Griffens House near Croton River July 21st 1780 

Dear General 

there being no Cloathing yet arrived from the 
Point for the Troops in this detachement I have Sent 
up 36 Rank & file under the Command of Cap* Sat- 
well [?] who are So deflitute of Shoes — Shirts or 
Bothe that Polify leafl they Should Difert the Service 
as well as Humanity forbid there being keept on the 
lines any longer — only 123 Rank & file of Col° 
Millirs detachment are now left Capt Williams with 
35 of Nixons Brigade who ware detached when I came 
down are Still with Capt Sacket in North Callle which 



174 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

I conlider as doing efintial Service in covering that 
part of the Country 

a party of Horfe and foot of 3 or 400 of the Enimy 
have ben up this week with in Six mile of Pins 
Bridge ; it has ben Reported they ware repairing the 
Roads from Eafl Cheller to New Rochell lall night 
it was Reported they ware Retired beyond kings 
bridge 

L* Fuller has ben out 5 days for the purpos of 
finding out the Sittuation of the Enimys guards, Pa- 
trolls &*= I expect him to night whenever he comes 
I Shall be in Some Mefure to comply with your re- 
quest of the 13*'^ infl"* ^ 

I am with the Highefl Refpect 
You Humble Ser* 

RuFus Putnam 
Gen^ Howe 

LETTER TO GEN'' HOWE 

Griffins House nere Croton July 22^ 1780 
Dear Gen^ 

L* Fuller is not yet Returned but by one of the 
guids Sent up laft night I am Informed from a per- 
fon below Tarry Town of good authority that Ad- 
miral Graves is arrived with 6 or 7 Ships of the line 
Some reported they ware 11. but it was beleved he 
brough no Troops althoe Reported by the Torys he 
had ten Thoufand land force with him that the brit- 
ifh Troops appeared to be in motion as Reported to 
return toward New york or on Some Expidition and 
Rhode Ifland was mentioned that Sir Henry Clinton 
went off a few nights ago at Midnight to New york 
that Moll of the Gen' and field officers had lately ben 
down to York "and twas Said on a Councill of War 

1 Page 171. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 175 

My Intiligence from the Saw pitts Rec«^ this Morning 
Sais the common Report was that Admirael Graves 
was arrived with 7 Ships of the line and an Expidi- 
tion was forming againfl Rhode Illand — A diferter 
from the Anfpachers Juil come in Sais the whole 
Britifh Army Moved toward kings Bridge yefterday 
Morning at 9 oClock and twas Said they ware going 
to Long Illand or Rhode Illand and Some Said to 
Philidelpha 

I am not Fond of Conjecturing but if its true that 
Admiral Graves is arrived I think Rhode Island is 
proverbely the objects of there prefent movements 

Col° Graton by letter Haveing Informed me that 
it was your ordors to Send up the men on my detach- 
ment who belonged to the Light Infentry Companys 
of the Lt Brigade I was under the Neceffity of recall- 
ing Capt William from North Callle leveing only 
Cap* Sacket in that Quarter by deducting thefe and 
5 naked men Sent off today our whole detachment 
except Capt Sackets Company Confills of Cap*^ 3 
Subs 7 Ser* 14 rank & file 134 and Several of thefe 
are fo naked they muft be Sent up in a day or two 
befides there is a much greater propotion of thefe 
from Nixons Brigade then any other being left by 
me at Collabergh when the Brigade was down and 
brough down with me When I Joyned Col° Miller 
of my retaining thefe Col° Graton Complains ; it is 
equel with me what men I command but with out 
your ordors I cannot think my Self authorifed to 
fend them up 

as the Command is now very Small and prehaps 
you may think proper to releve the whole detach- 
ment very foon or at left to ogment the numbers be- 
fore it will be though proper to move lower down 
I Shall be exceeding glad of leve of Abfence for 



176 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

five or Six days to Settle Some bufinef at Fredricks 
burgh with the purchefing Commefary which cannot 
be So well don after the prefent month ; Col° Millir 
remaining with the datachment in the mean time 

LETTER TO GEN'' HOWE 

Devenports House two miles from Pins Bridge 
July ye 23d 1 780 

Dear Genl 

by L* Holden who left the White plains this morn- 
ing I am Informed that he was told by a woman 
from Eaft chefter the Right Wyng of the Britifh Army 
Struck tents yefterday Morning and She was told by 
the Inhabitent they ware going to Long Island — 

I beleve it Beyond doubt they have decampd but 
where gon unfertain a party to gain Intiligence [?] 
gos down to night 

LETTER FROM GEN^- HOWE 

Head Quarters Highlands 
25th July 1780 

Dear Sir 

I have been ingaged in such a seen of Hurry that 
I have not had a moment to Drop you a line till 
now — Lieu* Col° Hull with one Hundred and Fifty 
men will Reinforce you tomorrow, it would be well 
to Appoint to what Place he must repair — When he 
arrives you may return the men you have with you 
to their several Regiments for tho' I call it in Orders 
a Reinforcement I mean it a Relief — you will if no- 
thing happens below to forbid it make the Excursion 
you Mention but you will I hope be as Expeditious 
as pofsible in your return, as for particular Reasons 
I would not wish you to be long Absent — I have 
had from tolerable good Agints, information that the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 177 

Enimy Meditate an Enterprize Either against you or 
Sheldon or both, I rather think against him ; I would 
have you take Measures to be secure yourself, and 
to secure him from Surprise, for if they do Act it will 
be Rapidly and in pretty good Force, so that you 
should be prepared to Retreat, or Act as prudence 
and the good of the Service Points out — 

I should be glad to see you when it is Conven- 
ient — 

I am Dear Sir 

with Regard and Respect 
Your most Ob^ Ser* 

R Howe 

PSA Company of fifty men under Captain Ste- 
vens of the new Levies are to join Captain Sacket on 
the Lines & be under your command you will when 
they join him order your Commifsary to Ifsue to them 
Provisions in the mean time they will Draw from 
Sheldons Commifsary when you serve them order 
the other to cease 

LETTER TO GEN'' HOWE 

Davenports House July ye 25111 1780 
Dear General 

from a perfon below who may be depended on my 
Intiligence is that three or foure Britifh & Heffian 
Regiments Embarked at Philips lall Friday fell Im- 
mediately down to the Hook and its Said went out 
to Sea with Admirael graves who its Commonly re- 
ported is gon to Rhode Island with the Six Ships of 
the line he brough with him and two others which 
was in — that a Number of Troops have Emparked 
at Frogs Neck and Crofsed to long Island tis Said for 
the purpes of Bringing the Stock from the eafl End 



178 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

of the Island (but there number or Corps is not known) 
Some alfo remained there when the others Crofsed 
which from Some other accont mull be on Saturday) 
That the yanjer Core is Incamped between m' 
Cortlandts and kings Bridge, the Reft of the Brit- 
ilh that moved down from Voluntins Hill & are 
Incamped haveing there left nere Fort Independ- 
ence and the Right towards the Britifh Redoubt 
Number 8 — this was there pofition yellerday at 12 
oClock M. — 



GENL MCDOUGALL'S MINUTES TO COMMITTEE 
OF CONGRESS. 



Notes Delivered by Major Genl McDougall to the Committee of 
Congrefs appointed to confere with him in august 1780 Containing 
the Substance of two Memorials of the General ofificers in behalf 
of them Selves and the officers of the Army i 



First — The General ofBcers complain that their 
pay was not advanced when that of the other officers 
of the army was increased 50 p Cent from the first of 
January 1777 — that it was not at any Time equel 
to their Rank considering the expencies they are 
Exposed to, and more Efpecially for Some time past 
as all Foreign articels they want for them felves and 
families have ben double and now are Treble the price 
they ware at the commencement of the War, and the 
Produce of the Country double the old price. So that 
their pay if it had ben paid to them in Gold and Silver 
would not be equel to half pay in 1776, even if it is 
advanced from the i of January 1777 50 p Cent ; and 
that their pay advanced 50 p Cent would not be equil 
to half the pay and Emoluments of a Collonel in the 
Enimes Service 

1 The original is in Rufus Putnam's script. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 179 

A Major Generals Pay now 166 Dollars advanced 
50 p cent it will be 249- The first will not Purchafe 
them more then the vallu of 55 >^ dollars the Second 
but 83 dollars, Suppofeing it paid in Gold and Sil- 
ver, as the Cittizens draw it from them for lefs then 
half its vallu for their produce & Marchandize. Hence 
it is clear on the most Moderate Calculation that the 
Cittizens of America pay the army but half pay for 
their Services, the General officers therfore think 
that the prefent pay if advanced 50 p Cent from the 
time aforefaid will not with the Rations alowed ena- 
ble them to keep a Sutable table for their Rank & the 
Honnor of their Country Efpecially when Serveing 
with Forreign Troops — 

2^ ly The half pay is Clogged with Such Conditions 
that the General officers cannot recive it becaufe 
that they are Disfranchised by the Refolution which 
grants it, as it ceafes if they hold any office of Profit 
from the United States or either of them. However 
Small or incompetant the Salery of Such office may 
be for their Support. Befides they Say this half Pay 
is given for past or future Servis. if for Past why 
Should it debar them from the profit of any office 
they may be called too by their fellow Cittizens when 
it is expected they will do the duty of Such office, if 
the half pay is intended for future Services or to hold 
them engaged in their profesfion to the Community 
it is incompetent for their Support when Clogged with 
that Condition, thefe objections are raised by all 
the Commifsioned officers of the line, befides thofe 
objections the General officers add that they cannot 
recive it without Dishonnoring themfelves as none of 
them are to have but the Half pay of Colonels — they 
are not Colonels in any refpect nor do they recive 
the emoluments of Regiments which General officers 



i8o OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

do in foreign Services, thus degraded when they re- 
turn to Civel life they are Subject to Expences from 
the Connections & Acquaintence which Unavoidably 
ware created by the Service & without Means pro- 
potionate to other officers to defray it The officers 
of the Eaflern States do not Contend for half pay if 
they git Some equivelent in grofs at the Close of the 
war as a reward for past Services to put them in bufi- 
nefs as well as Compensation for lofs of time — this 
they think is Just as their pay now, for the reafons 
above afigned is not equel to half Pay althoe they 
have recived Compenfation for Depretiation 

^diy 'phg officers of thofe States whofe Leglifhla- 
tures have made a future provifion for them of half 
pay claim the Depretiation of their pay for the reafon 
above mentioned Viz that if paid in Gold or Silver 
is but half pay. and on pay in General make this 
Reflection, that if the War lall Seven years and they 
Should recive Seven years half pay it will be but 
Seven years whole pay — as the Cittizens will have 
recived the pay of the army for the War for half the 
Quantety of Produce and Marchendize their pay 
would have purchesed when the army was Raifed in 
1776 & 1777 

^th ly js^w ^j^g officers of the lines of the different 
States think it reafonable that a decent provifion 
Should be made for the wives & children till of age 
of Such of them as May die or be Slain in the Service, 
and not be exposed to indigence or want or cafl on 
the Parifh for a mean Subsistence, and they See with 
inexprefable concearn the Families of officers of all 
Ranks who have died or have ben Slain now Exposed 
to thofe distrefses Still Unnoticed and Unprovided 
for — 

The Survivers antifipate the Calamaties that await 
their owne in cafe they meet the like Misfortune — 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE i8i 

^th ly ^ Ration is incompetent for the decent Sub- 
fistence of an ofBcer efpecially a Field officer who in 
attention to the Service is often obliged to entertain 
officers of his own Rank and thofe who are Inferiour, 
and the Subsistence money allowed for the retained 
Rations will not purches a third of a Ration in the 
Vicinety of Camp Therefore no reafonable allowance 
for the Retained Rations will enable the officers to 
live in proper Carracter among each other or the 
Strangers [?] who Come into Camp and thefe Defi- 
quelties will greatly increafe when the Army drawes 
Near Newyork where the Country is laid waist or 
where the People refuse paper money, as is the Cafe 
in the lower parts of Wefl Chefler County and the 
like will take place on Long Island, to remedy thofe 
Evils the officers Connected with Corps Should be 
alowed to draw the whole of their Rations, but if the 
Stock of Provilions wont admit of it at least the fol- 
lowing Number of their Rations, and all the officers 
paid the full Vallu of the Retained ones Viz Col° three 
L* Colo three Major two — this may inable them to 
Rub throug the Campaign in Some Decency as to 
provifion, otherwife they mull each eat his Morfel in 
an Unfocial Maner & which will render them Con- 
temptable to them Selves and to Strangers for paper 
Money will not purches Neceffaries in the Places I 
have mentioned 

Lastly the officer are of opinion that they have 
a Just Claim on their Country for a decent Subfist- 
ence for them Selves and their families according to 
their refpective Ranks while they are fighting her 
Battels and when the hapy Hour of peace arrives 
that they are Intiteled to Some reward for their Toils 
and lost time and not to be marked out to their 
Country men or her Enemies as Confpicious Beg- 



i82 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

gers — Further that as the Contell is for property as 
well as for Liberty & Empire they have a Just 
Clame on the Community for a part of that which 
they Protect for it, and that there are Lands of the 
Crown and Trators which will far Surpafs any Com- 
penfation which the Army wifh or alk for with out 
breaking in upon privet property 

APOINTMENT OF BRIGADE 

West Point January 8th lySi 
Sir 

Whereas, at a meeting of the Ofificers of the first 
Mafsachufetts Brigade, on the 15*^ of Dec : 1780, You 
was chose to Represent the Brigade in a general 
committee of the Mafsachusetts line, for the pupose 
of fettling with the ftate, the amount of the arears 
due the Officers and soldiers of that line on account 
of the Depreciation of the currency, for the year 
1 780, Also to revise and conclude any other matters 
respecting the ballance due the Officers and foldiers 
on account of the Depreciation previous to the first 
of January 1780, which yet remains unfettled. This is 
therefore to defire you to proceed to BoHon as foon 
as pofsible, where you will be joined by a committee 
from the other Brigades, as aforesaid. 

In your proceedings in the said buifinefs, you will 
be governed by fiach Inflructions as fhall be given 
you by the whole line so far as they extend, and in 
all other matters according to the best of your un- 
derstanding. 

In the Name, and by order of the Meeting 

J. Greaton Col^ I President 

Col: RuFus Putnam. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 183 

GEN^ HEATHS LETTER 

SiNGSING Augst 22nd 1 78 1 

Dear Sir 

I am this moment informed that Eight or nine 
Barrels of Flour, private property belonging to a 
Baker of the 2''^ Connecticut Brigade was left at our 
late Encampment, at a place in the rear of the 2'^^ 
Brigade If you think it practicable to get it off I 
refer it to your consideration, the Flour will be use- 
full for your detachment and prevent its falling into 
the hands of the Enemy. The best mode of geting 
the Flour off I leave to your own good Judgment. 
I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

your obed* Serv* 

W Heath 
Colo Putnam 

N B — There were Sixteen Barrels of Flour left as 
within mentioned & they were in the wood (care- 
lefsly covered over) in the front of the faid Brigade 
& not in the Rear — 

gen'' heaths LETTER 

Head Quarters Peeks kill augst 24th 1781 

Dear Sir 

Your favor p^ M"" Myrick, and the one by the sol- 
dier who escorted the Deferter from Uphams Corps, 
came duly to hand. The D Q M G will furnifh M"" 
Myrick, with such articles requested by you, as he 
has at Command. I am sorry they are far short of 
your wants and wishes, hope it will soon be in his 
power to afford you an ample supply. — I think the 
mode of acting with your Corps, which you propose 
a good one. Your knowledge of service, of the 



i84 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Country in which you are to act, and known Pru- 
dence induce me to repose a Discretionary Liberty 
of acting to you. — I wish your movements may be 
such as to leave no avenue open on your Flanks, 
whereby the Enemy may pafs you unperceived and 
strike the advance Pickets of this army, please en- 
deavour to obtain all the Intelligence in your power, 
and the news papers when it can be effected. 
I am with very great regard 
Dear Sir 

Your obed* serv* 

W Heath 
M Geni 
Colonel Putnam 

gen"- heaths letter 
Head quarters, Peeks kill, August 27. 1781. 

Dear Sir 

Your favor of the 25. with the cow-thieves, arrived 
safe — I hope you will be able to hunt out that ne- 
farious enemy — It is probable they will be active in 
their fkulking, thieving way, and from the fituation 
of the country it will be impofsible to reilrain them. 

I will give orders that a quantity of hard bread and 
falted meat be procured for the detachments — which 
is efsentially necefsary. 

With refpect to the cattle, grain and forage be- 
low — whatever is taken, fhould be done by the 
Hate agent, or fome of his Afsiftants, one of whom 
has generally attended the troops on the lines — He 
will follow the inftructions given him by his Principal 
as to the mode of certificates or payment. The afsift- 
ants have generally taken from the inhabitants such 
part of their grain, &c. as they have judged might 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 185 

be fpared, leaving a fufficiency for the support of 
their families — They will I suppofe continue in this 
way. You will not take yourself, but where necefsity 
compels, which will be the cafe in your different ex- 
curfions — And in this cafe, an officer of humanity 
will diflrefs individuals, although enemies, as little 
as pofsible. The defign of your command is to gain 
intelligence of the movements of the enemy, and to 
check their excurfions where it is practicable, — to 
communicate such intelligence as you may obtain — 
and, as far as pofsible, afford protection to the coun- 
try. You are not sent out to collect grain, or threlh 
it, or as foragers — although you are to cover both 
as far as is in your power, fhould parties be fent out 
for that purpofe — And in cafes where you can afsifl 
in getting off grain or forage, the service will be pro- 
moted by your lending a hand for that purpofe ; but 
you are by no means to entangle or encumber your- 
self — you are at all times to be light, and move with 
as much celerity as pofsible. 

I wish it was in my power to order you some rum. 
We have not had a drop lince our arrival here, nor 
is there any in flore. A quantity is expected — when 
it arrives, you fhall not be forgotten. We fhall have 
ample supplies of flour — Your Commifsary must 
settle some effectual way for enfuring you a conllant 
supply. 

I think colonels Worm and Delancy will endeavor 
to give you a blow — I will venture you with both 
of them, both in point of policy or bravery. If your 
numbers are not sufficient you fhall have a reinforce- 
ment. 

Spare no pains to get intelligence and the news 
papers — We have no news here except reports that 



i86 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

a large fleet was feen on their way from the Well 
indies to the continent. 

I am with great regard, 
Dear Sir, 

Your obed. fervant 

W Heath 
M General 
Colonel Putnam 

GENERAL HEATHS LETTER 

Head quarters, Peeks kill, Aug. 30, 1781. 
My dear Sir, 

Your favor of the 27. came to hand. I fee you. 
Colonels Wormb and Delancy are manceuvring for 
the wind, and I expect foon to hear you have had an 
engagement. I hope you will fmk, blow up, or take 
the whole of them. However, act with caution and 
policy. I know they dare not fight you unlefs they 
can gain fome advantage of numbers or fituation — 
and fuch, I am fure you will not give them. 

I have ifsued orders that your detachment be kept 
at all times complete by fupplying the places of such 
as fall fick, &c. 

This evening about forty teams will move down 
to the new bridge, covered by about two hundred 
and fifty rank and file, properly offlcered, and early to 
morrow morning move down and forage near Stiver- 
sons weft of Young's. I wifh you to make such move- 
ments with your detachment as will feafonably and 
mofl effectually cover the foragers, & lecure all the 
avenues in front. 

Colonel Greaton will command the foragers. I wilh 
you to fend him any advice you may think necef- 
sary. 

I repeat my requeft that you will use every en- 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 187 

deavor to obtain intelligence, the news-papers, &c. 
and communicate them to me. 

I am with great regard 
Dear Sir, 

Your obed* Serv* 

W Heath 
P. S. Two men of your detachment M Gen^ 

by the names of Hymen Cool and 
Ephraim Thomas, of the 4 regiment 
are wanted as witnefses on a trial 
now before a court martial — 
Please send them up — they fhall 
be ordered down again — 

W H 

GENERAL HEATHS LETTER 

Head quarters, Peeks kill, Aug. 30: 1781. 
Dear Sir, 

Your favor of the 28. by major Trefcot was put 
into my hand this morning — 

The major is gone to the commifsary to obtain 
some hard bread if pofsible — We have now a plenty 
of flour, and your commifsary may obtain whatever 
may be necefsary — If the hard bread cannot be 
obtained now, it may be in a Ihort time. 

I am fully in fentiment with you refpecting the flags 
which come up from the enemy — and I wifh you to 
communicate to the enemy's out polls, that their flags 
are to come up on the Tarry town road only, and on 
that road to the new bridge, or the advance guard 
near the new bridge. 

I think one light field piece fufficient for your de- 
tachment. Captain Kemper cannot be indulged with 
another. I am forry his command, in his opinion, is 
not equal to his rank — but it is a misfortune to 



i88 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

which, in the present flate of our army, officers of all 
ranks are obliged to fubmit. 

I am with very great regard 
Dear Sir, 

Your obedient fervant 
W Heath 
M General 
Colonel Putnam 

gen'^ heaths letter 
Head Quarters Peeks Kill Sep"" 2d 1781 
Dear Sir 

I have just obtained intelligence that a packett of 
dispatches is on its way from Canada to New York. 
The Bearer is a young man, shabbily cloathed, blue 
eyes, fandy complexion, with short red hair. — It is 
probable the dispatches may be shifted into other 
hands. — I wish you to be very carefull, and enjoy n 
on all your parties, to be critical in observeing and 
examining all persons, who may be pafsing & detain 
and convoy to you for further examination all such 
persons as exhibit marks of being suspicious Char- 
acters. — 

I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

Your Obed* Serv* 

W Heath 
M General 
Colonel Putnam 

gen'' heaths letter 
Head Quarters Peeks Kill Sept 7 1781 
Dear Sir 

The Army will make a forrage tomorrow morning 
in the neighbourhood of North Castle — Please to 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 189 

make a disposition of your Detachment in such 
manner as to cover the Forragers — the command 
will be with you — 

I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

Your Obed*^ Serv* 

W Heath 
M General 
The French fleet have 
arrived in the Cheasapeak 
and blocked up the Enemy — 

WH 
Colonel Putnam 

GENERAL HEATHS LETTER 

Head Quarters Peeks kill Sept 8^^ 1781 
Dear Sir 

Your favor of the 7*^ Inst come to hand with the 
prifoners Cow Boys &'^ I have had a converfation 
with Major Tallmadge respecting them. Your De- 
tachment shall soon receive a reinforcment. 

Both Cap* Richards and M*^ Myrick must have 
Joined you before this time. 

I am with very great regard 
Dear Sir 

your obed* Serv* 

W Heath 
M General 
Colonel Putnam 

gen"- HEATHS LETTER 

Head Quarters Peekskill Sep' lo'h, 1781 
Dear Sir 

Should the Enemy at any time, advance in Force 
that affords grounds to apprehend a defign against 



I90 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the Posts in the Highlands, either by Land, or water, 
you will move up with your detachment in such 
manner, as to prevent the Enemy from cuting off 
the Communication between you the army and Posts 
in the Highlands. In such case you will bring off 
any Guards or Pickets you find in your way, and 
send detachments to drive back all Public Cattle and 
Horfes in the vicinity of Crompond &'= towards Fred- 
ricksburgh, and direct the Inhabitants should such 
an event happen, to do the same. This you will 
keep to yourself, it is a precaution, that should be 
thought of, if never put in execution. 

Your Opinion of M"" Clinton is verified, it is said 
he is raveing, and that all is hurry and confusion 
in New York, — all appearances indicate a capital 
movement, — keep a sharp look out, we shall be 
ready for thern at all points. 

I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

your Obedient Servant 

W Heath 
M General 
Col° Putnam. 

genl heaths letter 
Head quarters, Peeks kill, Sept. lo. 1781. 
Dear Sir. 

Your favor of yeflerday came fafe to hand. An- 
other forage will be made tomorrow morning — 
Pleafe order your detachment accordingly 

Your opinion of M"^ Clinton I think is jull, but after 
all his raving and flourifhing I truft the trap is flrong 
enough to hold him — We have only to guard againfl 
his fcratching in his expiring agonies. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 191 

I have not obtained a lingle word officially of the 
enemy's conduct at New London, or even of their 
landing there, from any perfon in authority in the 
Hate — And I think there is every reafon to fuppofe 
that 30 fail of vefsels you mention to have pafsed 
towards New York the evening of the 7* were the 
freebooters. It feems impofsible that the gentleman 
who left Fairfield the morning of the 8**^ fhould know 
that the enemy were flill at New London the evening 
of the 7^^ The dillance between Fairfield and New 
London forbids it — I wifh therefore, unlefs you have 
obtained fome other certain intelligence of the enemy's 
being at New London or at fome other place in the 
Sound on the Connecticut fhore, that you will imme- 
diately on receipt hereof fend an exprefs to the de- 
tachment to return and join you — It may be well 
for them to do it by the time of the forage — Nothing 
new fmce yeflerday. 

I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 
Your obed Serv* 

W Heath 
M General 

P. S. Since writing the above, I have received infor- 
mation that Gen^ Clinton is collecting all the force in 
his power, and that the troops are embarking — The 
conjectures concerning their defigns are various. The 
intended forage will probably be delayed tomorrow 
— But you will pleafe immediately to take the mea- 
fures mentioned refpecting the detachment fent from 
you. 

W H 
Colonel Putnam 



192 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

generl heaths letter 
Head quarters, Peeks kill, Sept. ii. 1781. 

Dear Sir. 

Your favor of yeflerday came to hand the laft 
evening. M"" Stevens the Deputy Commifsary of 
Ifsues was abfent the laft evening, will return to day, 
when meafures will be taken to fecure your Com- 
mifsary. 

M'' Bonton's [?] conduct in refuling to take charge 
of the ftores (at leaft until the principal of his depart- 
ment could appoint fome perfon of his department 
to take them) is highly reprehenlible. Such conduct 
at particular times may occalion great lofs to the pub- 
lic, as well as injury to the fervice. I gave M*^ Bonton 
my opinion very clofely laft night on the fubject. 

The army will this day remove to Bald hill for the 
advantage of a more compact encampment, and hav- 
ing it in our power effectually to cover Well point, 
and make detachments to fuch other places as may 
require them. 

I wifh you immediately to eftablifti fome certain 
mode of conftant intelligence from the Sound, and of 
what pafses there. — This may be done by forming a 
chain with general Waterbury. My views in this, are 
to obtain the earlieft notice of any movements of the 
enemy's fhipping to deftroy the fea-ports — and in 
cafe of fuch movements at any time, I wifti you to 
detach a part of your force towards fuch places as are 
threatened, without waiting orders from me for the 
purpofe. But in fuch cafe, fend me inftant notice of 
your having made detachment, that meafures may 
be taken to fupport you. A detachment of about 
one hundred men will be fent to join you today, left 
Major Tallmadge fhould not have returned. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 193 

If pofsible, let me know whether the enemy's Ihip- 
ping are yet in the Sound, or returned. 
I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

Your obed* Serv* 

W Heath 
M General 
Colonel Putnam 

GEN"- HEATHS LETTER 

Head Quarters Peeks Kill Sepf iitl> 1781 
Dear Sir 

Your favor of the 10"^ per Cap* Post, is just 
come to hand. I am much obliged by the intelligence 
you have communicated, it is not improbable that 
Worm & Delancey, perhaps aided by some other 
Troops mean to make a movement towards you, or 
for a grand forrage, & driveing of Cattle from the 
Town on the Sound — It is said that there about 300 
light horse with the Enemy at New London. I do 
not see how this can be pofsible, unlefs the 17^ Dra- 
goons who were some time since on Long Island, 
were sent on the expedition ; of this Colonel Sheldon 
can probably form a good judgement — If the 17*^ 
were sent they may on their return, be landed at 
West Chester, & join Worm & Delancey ; or they 
may be brought from Long Island — Their force 
united will render them, I apprehend, superior to 
Col° Sheldon, which will point it a peace of policy in 
him to act with suitable precaution in case the enemy 
move out. It may be their plan to amuse and draw 
you down, & if pofsefsed of a superiority in horse, 
endeavour to turn your Flank and cut off your retreat. 
— I think therefore if you act below Croton under 
such a view you will act with the greatest liberty 



194 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

towards the left, avoid haveing your left turned, while 
you are circumscribed on the right by the Hudson, 
where they may also by the use of boats throw Troops 
in your rear : But from the knowledge which you. 
Colonel Sheldon, & Major Talmadge have of the 
Country & probable movements of the Enemy you 
are the best judges. — 

You will revolve these hints in your mind & act your 
discretion — If reinforcements are necefsary let me 
know it, and if pofsible in season, for I am deter- 
mined to counteract the Enemy if pofsible — Intel- 
ligence is what I principally wish for ; collect what 
you can from every Quarter, & compare one with 
another. 

I am with very great regard 
Dear Sir 
Your Obed* Serv* 
Colonel Putnam W Heath 

M General 
P. S. 

I have this moment received a letter from Major 
Talmadge by Exprefs : — he was returning in com- 
plyance with your orders ; had just received intelli- 
gence of the Enemy continuing their depredations. 
I have directed him to face about, & march towards 
Newhaven — have ordered Gen^ Huntington to 
march with his Brigade towards the Sound — I think 
M"" Clinton will be in great fury for a few days — 
Choose your ground accordingly, either above or 
below the Croton, as you may judge best especially 
in the night time — But whatever steps you take 
advise me of them. — 
W H 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 195 

GEN*- HEATHS LETTER 

Head Quarters Cont Village Sep' i2ih 1781 
Dear Sir 

This will be handed to You by Colonel Weifenfels 
an experienced good Officer who joins You with three 
Companies of Levies (principally Officered with old 
Continental Officers — Capt Hunt will join Colonel 
Weisenfels — Major Knapp will return with his De- 
tachment — A Commifsary will be sent You immedi- 
ately — 

I am with great regard 

Dear Sir 

Your Obed. Serv* 

W Heath 
M General 
Colonel Putnam — 

gen'' HEATHS LETTER 

Head Quarters Continental Village Sep* 15* 1781 

Dear Sir 

Your favor of yesterday is Just come to hand. If 
Major Knapp has not returned when this reaches you, 
you may detain him untill further orders 

Please give my compliments to Colo. Sheldon and 
request him to come to this place in the course of 
a Day or two, on a matter of Importance Just com- 
municated to me. — I have not time to write him or 
you so fully as I wish. 

I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

Your obed* Serv* 

W Heath 
MGeni 
Col° Putnam 



196 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

gen'^ heaths letter 
Head Quarters Continental Village Sept 17th 1781 
Dear Sir 

your favor of this date p' Col° Sheldon came safe 
to hand. I have directed Major Tallmadge to Join 
you, after which I delire you to Send up the officers 
and men of your detachment belonging to the 2^^ s^^ 
and 8*^ Regiments, which Compose the 2"*^ Mafsachu- 
fetts Brigade, that Brigade being ordered to Garrifon 
West point, they are Sent in thus early that they may 
prepare to pafs the winter Comfortably. 
I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

your obed* Serv* 

W Heath 
M General 
Col° Putnam 

GEN^ HEATHS LETTER 

Head quarters, Continental Village, Sept. 17. 1781. 

Dear Sir 

In confequence of intelligence jufl received from 
the northward, I have thought it advifeable to fend 
colonel Weifsenfels regiment to Albany. You will 
pleafe to put them in motion as foon as pofsible, in- 
cluding captain Hunt's company. They are to march 
to Pemart's landing, where vefsels will be ready to 
receive them. 

I am with great regard, 
Dear Sir, 

your obed* Serv* 

W Heath 
M General 
Colonel Putnam. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 197 

GENi- HEATHS LETTER 

Head Quarters Continental Village Sept 22nd 1781 
Dear Sir 

Your favor of yesterday came to hand last even- 
ing, I thank you for the intelligence communicated 
therein. 

The prefent is a most interesting moment, please 
exercife every endeavour to get intelligence, whether 
the Enemy's Fleet with the embarked Troops have 
Sailed from the Hook, what Garrifons they have left 
in the differant works, on Long Island and in the 
City, what Corps and how Strong, and the moment 
you obtain intelligence Let me have it, and give your 
opinion if any post affords an oppertunity of Striking 
them a blow with a prospect of Succefs. 
I am with very great regard 
Dear Sir 
P. S if pofsible Your Obed* Servant 

obtain the news W HEATH 

papers — M General 

Colonel Putnam 

GEN^ HEATHS LETTER 

Head Quarters Continental Village Sept. 22nd 1781 
Dear Sir 

A Grand Forage will be made on Monday morn- 
ing next four or Five miles below the New bridge 
on Croten. one hundred and fifty rank and File pro- 
perly officered under the Command of a Field officer 
will be detached from the army as an escorte. you 
will please to move your Detachment so as to cover 



198 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the Foragers, the whole will be under your Com- 
mand. 

I am with great regard 
Dear Sir 

your obedient Servant 

W Heath 
M General 
Colonel Putnam 

THOUGHTS 
ON A PEACE ESTABLISHMENT 

FOR 

THE UNITED STATES OF 
AMERICA 



Requsted by Gen*^ Washington 



1783 

America is by no means to place her principle 
fecurity in Walled Towns and the multitude of her 
Fortrefses : nor is fhe in time of peace to be at the 
expence of an Reguler Army fufficient for the defence 
of every Part of her Extensive Teritorys (hould they 
be invaided — yet unlefs her Harbours, at least the 
principle ones, are fecured by Fortrefses and Small 
Garifons, her fea-ports are liable to be furprised plun- 
dered and Burnt or laid under Contribution by a few 
Ships of War, and if aided by land forces an enemy 
might in Some of them So eftablifh him Self in a very 
fhort time as to render it Very Difiquelt to Dislodge 
him — her Frontears lliould alfo be So Secured by 
Forts and garifons as at least might retard the op- 
peration of an Enemy till the Forces of the Country 
could be collected to oppose him — 

Among the Seports ; New york Claims the first 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 199 

attention No Spot on the Continent in the pofsef- 
sion of an enimy can So much Injure the United 
States as that, yet in my opinion, with a very little 
expence Compared to the Importance of the object 
it may be rendered parfectly Secure against any Sur- 
prize or Infult from the most formidable Fleat that 
ever yet was in its Harbour 

Falmouth in the provence of Main is the next Har- 
bour eastward that ought to Claim the attention of 
Congrefs it is in the very Neighbourhood of Halli- 
fax have Severel Tribes of Indians on the North & 
the Country but thinly Setteled the Harbour is deep 
and fpacious, the Town on a peninfula and Should 
an Enemy Ellablifh him felf their, the whole Eallern 
Country would be greatly Indangered 

Penopscot or Major Bagaduce is Still further East 
has alfo a fpacious harbour and is the Source I am 
told from whence the Eallern States are to Expect the 
most of their Masts Spars and Lumber — 

From New york Southerd Charles Town and 
Georgia are the first that I fuppose are intiteled to 
the notice of Congrefs in refpect of Garifons and 
Troops they have the Spaniards on the Right and 
Savages in their Rear, are properly the Frontear of 
the Empire on that Quarter and I am Told are thinly 
peopeled. the other Harbours and Seports are too 
Numerous for them all to admit of Continantal Ellab- 
liftiments the Expence to the feveral States in fecureing 
or Fortifing them may be Nearly Equl in propotion 
to their welth, and their owne Immediate Intrist will 
Induce them to attend to the matter Befides carying 
the general Suystim too far may create a Jalousy in 
Some of them but the Southern and Eallern Fronter 
togather with N york and the post on the Hudfon 
Should always remain in the hands of Congrefs but 



200 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

if any of them Should be So foolish as to neglect So 
Importent a object and leve them Selves liable to the 
Infults of every Pirate or Surprize of an open Enimy 
the Damage to the United States, in general, would 
be much Lefs then for Charles Town and Georgia on 
the one hand or thee provence of Main on the other 
to be Seeazed on by Surprize because thefe places 
might not be recovered through a long War, whereas 
none of the others could reafonably expect to be fo 
unfortunate 

But in Point of Importence, Next to the Citty and 
Harbour of New york — the North River or the Com- 
munication between New york and Canady ought to 
Clame the first attention, for whoever attempts the 
Conquest of America, will in my opinion, if he acts 
right, endever to eflablifh him felf on the Hudfon and 
by a Chain of Posts in that Quarter to Seperate the 
Eallern from the Midle and Southern States, on this 
River then Congrefs Should always keep an eye and 
Never Suffer an Enimy Foreign or Domistic to fix 
him felf Quietly on any part of it, or the Lakes to- 
wards Canada 

Well Point is prehaps as well Sittuated for the 
Grand Arfanal of America as any Place whatever and 
by Dismanteling most of the out Works — a much 
Smaller Garifon will be required then in its prefent 
State — they fhould confist cheifly of Artillery men — 
Includeing alfo Some artificers — Here Should all the 
Cariges and apperatus for the artillery be made here 
fhould the art of Gunnery Fortification &c &c be 
Taught and from hence Should the artillery Com- 
panys (detached) to other Posts be regurly releaved 
at lest one in Two years. I confider Stoney Point as 
an appandage to west Point whither the former re- 
main in its prefent State or a reguler fortification be 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 201 

built there, which is a Subject worth Confideration — 
Befides West Point there will Undoubtedly be other 
Arfinals Ellablilhed both East and weft that will re- 
quire Small guards — 

In order to prevent a Supprize from Canada by 
way of Lake Champlain if the Sittuation will admit 
a Fort Should be built at Wind Mill Point Pont au 
Fear [Point au Feu] or Some place near the 45*^ 
Degree of lattitude and the River or Lake So ob- 
ftructed as to prevent the pafage of any British Vef- 
sell into it — 

This matter I concive to be worth attention, and 
examination, for if practicable in cafe of a War with 
Great Britton it will prevent their makeing them 
Selves Masters of the lakes and at the Same time it 
will give Protection to the Country called Vermont 
with the Inhabitents near the Lake and aid us in 
Introduceing an army into Canada. 

In the mean time it will be a means of Checking 
any lUisit Trade in that Quarter, Interrupt the 
wicked Corrispondence and be a good means to 
prevent the revolt of the Vermontears fhould they 
have it in Contemplation, and it will alfo further any 
Corrispondence we may wilh to hold with the Inhab- 
itants of Cannada — 

But if no place can be found further Nothward 
then Crown Point Sutable for a Fortification that 
Should be fixed on the lake there is efily obftructed 
and the Sittuation Elligable a good Fortrefs with a 
Small Garifon Some where in that Quarter is necef- 
sary and will be able to prevent any Sudden Errup- 
tion from Canada into the Provence of New york a 
Circumftance by all means to be guarded against — 
the Idea of a post Some where on Lake Champlain 
will make it Necefsery to have two Intermediate ones 



202 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

between that and Albany for the lodgment and Se- 
curity of the Stoars that may be Sent northward Viz 
one at Fort George and another at the Landing on 
the further end of lake George but a Block House 
or even a Stockade with a very few Troops will be 
fufficient 

Albany will no Doubt requier Som Troops as it 
will be the place for lodging at least for a time the 
Stoars defigned for the Northern and Western Fron- 
ters 

To keep the Western favages in awe, to protect 
and regulate our Trade with them and prevent any 
Infidous Practice of our Britilh or Spaniih Neighbors 
as far as posable, Some Fortrefses and a Small regu- 
ler Ellablifhment is abfolutely necefsary Perticulerly 
at Fort Stanwix Ofwego Niagary Fort and Carying 
Place — Detroit and Michilinmackanac on the Lakes 
— Illinois Fort Mafsac Post Vincent Fort Pitt and 
other Posts that it may be found necefsery to garifon 
on the Frontears of the Midle and Southern States 

The Britifh ufed to Send their Supplys to Nagara 
and Detroit from Cannada & of confequence ware 
under no necefsity of keeping a Post at ofwego and 
I beleve they had none at Fort Stanwix, but in our 
fittuation if we wifh to keep up a Communication 
with Niagara and Detroit by way of Lake Ontario a 
Post at Ofwego is Indefpensible for the lodgment of 
the Stoars Sent from Albany for the Supply of the 
Wellern World as well the Security of the Peltry [?] 
that may be brought from that Quarter in return. 
Fort Stanwix will alfo be a place of Some Confe- 
quence for the like purpofes and for the protecton of 
the Convoyes and Trade from Savage Insult Several 
other Small post on the Communication between 
Albany and Ofwego will undoubtedly be necefsary, 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 203 

to Secure our Selves against any Surprize from the 
British to awe the Savages in thofe Quarters to 
protect the French Setlers about Detroit and Incour- 
age their Emigration from Cannada our Force in 
the Neighbourhood of the Grate lakes even In time of 
peace, Should be much grater then what the Britifh 
ufed to keep 

In time of War a navel Superiorety on the Lakes 
may be more likely to fall to the Share of the British 
then to us ; or at least our Superiorety may be un- 
fertain I wifh to Suggest the propriety of opening 
Some other Communication with Lake Erie (then 
that through Lake Ontario) by which Niagara De- 
troit &c &c may Recive Supplys. and Belids the 
Idea of the Britifh haveing a Navel Superiorety in 
Lake Ontario Should Niagara by any M if fortune be 
Surprized and taken with it we must loofe the whole 
Western World unlefs Some other communication is 
opened with it then the prefent 

This Communication may be made from Fort Pitt 
to Prefque Ille, but I think the most Elligable is from 
Fort Pitt either by Kishkuske and Cayahoga to Lake 
Erie or down the River from Fort Pitt to Yallow 
Creek from thence by Tuscarawas to Cayahoga. but 
I would fuggest for confideration a much more 
Extencive proposition. Viz a Post at the Mouth of 
Cayahoga another at the i mile Portage between 
the head of Cayahoga River and of Muskingum at 
Tuscarawas one at the Forks of Muskingum or the 
Dellaware Town below a 4*^ at Wills Town a 5*^ 
Mouth of Muskingum a 6*^ Hockhocking a 7*^ 
Great Kanhawa an 8*^ Some Such chain of Posts 
in that Quarter I concive would give Such Incour- 
agement not only to those who have lands on this 
Side the Ohio but alfo to Such as may obtain grants 



204 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

on the other Side as would Induce fuch Emigration 
to that Quarter that within a few years the Country 
west of the Alleghany Mountains would not only be 
able to Feed all our Garisons in the Weftern World 
but render that whole Frontear perfectly Secure 
against every forreign Enemy and the Savages 
about the Warters of the Mohawk Susquehanne 
Ofwego and Ohio would be Induced to behave 
very fubmifsively or move father afield — 

The expence to Build the Chain of Posts will be 
very Small . . » a good Stockade with Flankkers 
inllead of Balleons Built in form of Block Houses 
will be abundently fufficient in all Inftences except 
that at the Mouth of the Cayahoka which will requier 
more attention — 

Nor will it increfe the Number of Troops necefsery 
for the general Protection becaufe the Garifons of 
Fort Pitt Detroit Illinois &*= &*= may be as much lefs, 
then otherwife may be necefsery, as this proposed 
chain of posts would requier to Garifon them pro- 
perly 

one Regiment of Infentry on the prefent Eftablifh- 
ment would be Quite fufficient to Garifon the whole 
and in a few years a Much lefs number as the Set- 
lers would undoubtedly in the first Inllence plant 
them felves near the Several garifons for the Sake 
of their protection and would aid in their defenc 

Haveing made thefe obfervations let me next pro- 
pose for conlideration the Following Eilablishment 
Viz Six Regiments of Infentry on the Ellablifhment 
of October 1 780 one Regt of 1 2 Companys of Artil- 
lery and one Company of Artificers this ellablifh- 
ment is deduced from the following Detail of Post 
and garifon 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 205 



West Point and down to New York &° 

to Shut an enimy out of lake ) 

Champlain or Stop him for a time | 

at Albany and the Commun[icatio]n > 
Northward > 

in Provence of Main and > 
Maggizene in Eaftward ) 

North & South Carolin Georgie > 
and Magazeans in that Quarter f 

Niagara 4 Ofwego 3(4) Fort Stanwix and ) 



Communtin with Albany 2 Infentry 
Detroit and its Dependency 
Michiclamackanac and Dependencis 



Fort Pitt Mafsac Illinois Post 

Post H — [?] 8 
Vincent and Magazens in V 



•St ) 

irginia) 



II 


>> 

I" 


° ? 


4(5) 


6 


I 


4 


I 


i( 


1(2) 


(C 


u 


9(4) 


I 


(( 


9(4) 


I 


<( 


9(10) 


I 




5(4) 


h 


(( 


4 


h 




9 


I 




54 


12 


I 



1 Total 



But if the Chain of Posts in proposed [plan] from 
Cayahka to Kanhawa be eflablifhed then the fol- 
lowing arrangment in that Quarter may be adopted 
Viz 

1 The discrepancies in this and the following table are due to the fact 
that General Putnam altered his first draft, placing one figure above 
another ; his later figures are in parentheses. The underlined words were 
erased and Fosi H — was placed above them. 



2o6 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 



Detroit — 
Michiclamackanac — 
Mouth of Cayahoca 
Head of Cayahoca River or Portage 

Tuscarawas 

Forks of Muskengum 

Wills Town 

Mouth of Muskengum — 
Mouth of Hockhocking — 

Grate Kanhawa 

Post Vincent 

Illinois — 

Fort Mafsac — 

Fort Pitt and Magazene in Virgin 



3(2) 

3(2) 

2 



(2) 



i 



which make the Same Total as on the other plan 
the number in each Regt of Infentry and the artillery 
Company to be the Same as the Eftablifhment of 
October 1 780, Except that the Regimet Staff should 
always be included in the number of Platton or Com- 
pany officer Such an Eflablifti may be fufficient to 
give the alaram and prevent the Progrefs of an En- 
imy for a Time efpecially on the first breaking out of 
a War, which is all that can be expected from them, 
and all that Congrefs ought to attempt by a proper 
Reguler Ellablifhment 

The Pay and Subsistence of the officer to be the 
Same as at prefent First because I concive it is Be- 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 207 

low that of the British or that of any other Nation 
when all their Emolumets are taken into Confidera- 
tion 2d ly Because whoever engages as an officer 
in a peace Eftablifhment is Supposed to make Arms 
his profefsion for life and the prefent Eftablifhment 
of pay and fubsistence is quite little enough to give 
Bread to a Man agreeably to the rank in Life which 
an officer is Supposed to hold 

The pay of the Noncomfd officers and privets 
Should not exceed 5 Dollars per month or one Sixth 
of a Dollar per day out of which one third fhould be 
Hoped to provide him with a Coate wescot Breeches 
Shirts and other Necefseres, and all arearages to be 
annually Setteled and paid the pay of officers and 
Solder if posable to be weakly 

The officers to be taken in the first Inflence in as 
near a propotion as Pofable from the Several States 
(not Rank but age Merit abilities and Conftitution 
Should Determin the Choise) But it ware to be wifhed 
that in future State lines may be totally laid afide and 
in ordor to Introduce fiich a Suystim the pirticuler 
officers to Compleat the Eflablifhed Reg*^ being fixed 
on in the formation of thofe Regiments, officers who 
now belong to different State lines Should be Incor- 
porated into the Same Coars as much as posable this 
would not only be a means of removing those local 
prejudices among officers which are too apt to prevail 
but would make the distrebution of the three years 
Men now in Service among the Regimets thus 
formed much more elligable 

Such an arrangement of officers Such an Incorpo- 
ration of Men and Such a Detaching them to the dif- 
erent parts of the Empire will I think be Some means 
of Uniteing and Sementing the whole 



2o8 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

To be ready to meet an Enimy on the first Break- 
ing out of a War with an army of Refpectable 
Troops their fhould be an EflabUfhment of a reguler 
Continantal MiUtia — the Following Scheem is Sug- 
gested for Confideration 



Scheem of Continantal Militia 

All able Bodied Men between the age of i8 & 25 
year (not Exempt by any law already made in the 
refpective Stats) from Military Service Shall be en- 
rolled and liable to Service as Continantal Militia, 
prehaps those of age between 20 & 25 may be 
thought more Sutable out of them Shall be raifed 
24 Regiments each Regement Sixteen Companys 
Subdivided into 4 Battallion of 4 Companys 



each — each Company to confist of 



I Captain 
I Lieutent 
I Enfigne 
5 Sergnt 
3 Corporal 
I Drumer 
I Fifer 
65 privet 



Staff to each Battallion 

to be taken from among the 

Company officr ocationly 

for which their fhall be no 

alowance but that 

of being accoutered [?] 



I Adjutnt 
I Qr Mailer 
I Sert Major 
I Qr M Sert 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 209 



Regimental Field & Staff 



24 Regiment on 
Such an Eftablifliment 
would Consist of 

29448 
1372 

28066 [sic] 





^ I Colonel 




2 Lieutn Colo. 




2 Majers 




I Adjutent 




I Qu Mailer 


aff < 


I Pay Mailer 


CXJLl < 


I Surgeon 




I Mate 




I Ser* Maj^ 




I Qu M Se* 




I Drum Maj"" 




I Fife Maj"" 


24 Colonels 


48 L* Colonels 


48 Majors 


384 Captains 


384 Lieutenant 


384 Enfignes 


24 Adjutent 


24 Pay Masters 


24 Q Masters 


24 Surgeons 


1372 [sic] 24 Mats 


24 Sert Major 


24 Q M Segts 


24 Drum Major 


24 Fife Major 


1080 Serjents [sic] 


384 Drumers 


384 Fiffers 


^ 


26 1 1 2 Rank & File 



Total Includeing officers 29448 

The officers Should all be Commifsioned by Con- 
grefs and be on the Same footing as to Rank as those 



2IO OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

in actual Service but in cafe of refignation or re- 
movel out of the dept they fhall loofe their Rank or 
pretentions too it in Reason the Regimet Should be 
all numbered with out dellintion of States next after 
thofe on the Peace EUablifhment and to take their 
Rank in the first Inftence by lot Drawn for them in 
Congrefs the Number of Men to be raised in each 
State Shall be afefsed by Congrefs once in every 
Seven year by the Same rate of propotion by which 
the Continantal Taxes are laid, the year last preceed- 
ing Such afefsment the Several Stats Shall each be 
divided into as many Districts as it is required to 
furnish regimets which regimental dept Shall be Sub- 
divided into Battallions Districts, once in every Seven 
year Viz the next year after that wherein the State 
afefsmt for men is made by Congrefs each Battallion 
District fhall again be fubdivided into Company 
Diflricts Commifsioned officers for such Company 
Shall refide with in their owne Diflrict The Field and 
regimental Staff officers Shall be inhabitent of or refi- 
dents within the Diflrict of the Regiment or Battal- 
lion to which they are appointed all the Field Com- 
mifsioned & Staff officers of a Regiment Shall be 
appointed by the Executive athorety of the State to 
which they belong and be Commifsiond by Con- 
grefs. on the removel of an officer out of his District 
his place must be Confidered as Vacant and the va- 
cancy to be filled by Succefsion of Rank from the 
Colo to the Enfigne which Rule fhall be adopted for 
filling all Vacancys but the appointment of all En- 
figns Shall be in the Executive athorety of the State 
unlefs they fhould neglect Such appointment for the 
Space of three months after being duly certified of 
the Vacancy by the Col° or Commanding officer of 
the Reg* which he Should be obliged to do within 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 211 

one month after Such Vacancy happened in which 
cafe Congrefs to have the right of Such appointment 

the company Districts being thus fixed the Captain 
or Commanding officer of the Company Shall annu- 
ally between the 15*^ and 31s* day of December Make 
out a list with the ages of all the able Bodied men 
within his District liable to Bare arms in the Conti- 
nantal Militia and haveing apponted his Sergents 
Corporals Drums & Fife he fhall Select Seventy of 
the youngest that remains on the afore Said list (and 
return the Names of the Refl to the Commanding 
officer of the State Militia within whose District they 
refpective refide) Sixty five of the Seventy taken as 
above are to compose the privet of Such Company 
for the Infuig year and the other five are to be 
considered as fupenumeraries and only liable to be 
called on Duty in cafe of Sicknefs Death or removel 
of any of the Fixed Company 

All able Bodied men (except Such as are exempt 
from Military duty by the Laws of the State within 
which they relide) between the age of Eighteen and 
twenty five years, must be liable to Service in the 
Continantal Militia and as Such perform all the Servis 
required of them 

The Contnantal Militia being thus formed they 
Shall be liable (in Companys or Squads as Shall be 
thought mos convenient) to fpend as many days in 
Military Exercifes and Disepline as other Militia are 
liable to perform in Companys and in Battallion as 
Many as other State Militia are liable to by Regimint 
for which they shall have no allowance and for thefe 
exerfises and to be always ready in cafe of the most 
Sudden alaram they Shall be provided with Arms 
ammunition and acoutremet the Same as other Militia 
by Law ought to be provided with, in addition to 



212 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

which they Shall always be provided with two white 
Hunting Shirts and two pairs of White lining ovehalls 
with a Military hat or Cap and Fether all of which 
shall be agreably to the ordor of the Commanding 
officer of the Regt 

In addition to thefe Dutyes this Militia Shall in 
time of peace actually take the Field Some time the 
Month of September annually where they Shall Con- 
tinue thirty days and attend to the learnig all or part 
of Disepline and the Dutis of an army as much as in 
time of War — they Shall be Collected for that pur- 
pus eithr by Regimet Brigads or Divifion as may be 
thought most convenient for the good of Service but 
during this period they are to be paid at the Same 
Rate and Subsisted in the Same Maner as the Regi- 
mets on the Peace Eflablishmet are — Belides this on 
the Brakeing out of a War or when ever Congrefs 
Shall Deam it necefsary they Shall take the Field 
upon which they Shall be furnifhed Paid and Subsisted 
in the Same Maner as fhall be provided for the Eflab- 
lifhed Regimets. Befides which the noncommifsioned 
officers and privets Shall recive five DoUors Bounty 
anually So long as they Shall be held in Service, 
on the fore going Scheem after the first formation of 
the Compay the Captain or Commanding officer at 
the Close of every year will have ocation only to Ob- 
tain a list of all able bodied men belonging to His 
Company Distr who have within that year arrived at 
the age of i8 he will then Discharge So many of his 
Disbled and Senior Soldiers as to reduce his Company 
to the Standard and the Same Rule is to be obferved 
in Recruting the Company in time of War as of peace 
with this exception that in time of War the Captain is 
not to Judge of the Debility of those who may claim 
a Discharge on that accont — But the Recruts for the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 213 

Company or thofe lads who have arrived at Eighteen 
within the past year Shall between the first and 
Seventh Day of January be Infpected and Muflered 
in the Same maner as recrut for the EUablifhed Regi- 
ments, and haveing Joyned the Company the Same 
Number Shall be discharged the oldest Soldiers al- 
ways being Intiteled to Claim it as their right except 
where Invaleds of the Same Companys prefent them 
Selves of whofe Claims Cognizence Shall be taken in 
the Same maner as is don in the Eflablilhed Regi- 
ment in like cafes 

by this Scheem every able Bodied man is liable to 
Bair arms as a Contnantal Soldier at 18 years of age 
and its posable that he continue So for Seven year 
but as the Continal Militia and the eflablifhed Regi- 
ments will not altogath amount to more then 7i6 of 
the ratable Poles and not more the 7,0 of those liable 
to bare arms the Proverbility is that no man will Seve 
more then three year at farthest 

I have made no Deflintion between Rich or Poor 
in my Calculation in the Formation of the Companys 
one reafon is because I think the Eflablilhing a Regu- 
ler Militia on Such a Footing is utterly Impratable 
consistent with the Idear of the Purpos of a Standing 
army in the defence of the Country 

to give force and fpirit to any Meafure of this Sort 
it is necefsry to make it as Simple as posable Besides 
when we want Men we must look where they are and 
when money is wanted let us look where it is to be 
found the Poor man can yeald perfonal Service, but 
if this is not Sufficent to anfwer the objection that 
may be raised on this Head — let each State make 
provifion to equalize the money part upon the Pools 
and ellates of each Company District, but no [one] 
is to be excufed from yealding the Perfonal Service 
required of him unlefs he provides a Subflitute 



214 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

In ordor that they may be always ready to take 
the Field properly armed and acoutterd on the 
Shortst Notice and in ordor that they may be per- 
fectly Uniform in their Arms and acoutrement a Suf- 
ficient number of Arms &c Shall (at the Expence 
of the United States) be delivrd to the Col° or Com- 
manding officer of the Regt and deposited nere the 
place of randezvos two good chest fhall be provided 
for each Companys arms in which they are to be 
cearfully Secured on the Regiments takeing the field 
in the month of September the arms to be delivrd to 
them the Captain or Commanding officer being ac- 
countable for those of his Company as the Colo is for 
those of his Reg* 

In ordor to give Life & Motion to this Complex 
Army of Continantal Regulars and Militia their must 
be one Commander in Cheif from whome all ordors 
for the Continantal Militia as well as the Reguler 
Regiments are Mediately or Immediately to Ifsue, the 
Same in peace as in time of War 

Their Shall for the Militia Regiment be Six Major 
Gen^ but no Brigadiers & the Col° when in the Field 
recive Brigadier Subsistence but Colonels pay only 
the Regt will in point of divs [division ?] * * as Br 
[Brigades?] 

The Infpeter General of the Eflablifhed Army 
Should alfo be So to the Contint Militia and he will 
appoint as many Deputys as may be thought proper 
to Muster and Infpect the Continantal Militia for the 
month they are out and Certifie the Rolls accordingly 
which Shall be paid out of the Treafury of the United 
Stats 

the Pay Mafler is to have a proper allowanc f [or] 
his Servis in obtaining and paying the money to the 
Men, and the Qr Mafler for his expence in takeing 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 215 

care repairing Transeporting &c the arms accortment 
&c &c 

every Soldier is to be charged with any abuses or 
damage do to his arms or accortments while in his 
Pofsestion or lofs of ammunition and S [t] opage made 
on the pay roll agreable to the Judgment of the Field 
officer with the Int [crested ?] Capt who are at the end 
of every month to make an Infpection of the Same 

COPPY OF PETITION FOR THE OHIO COUNTRY 

To His Excellency the prelident and Honorable Dele- 
gates of the United States of America in Congrefs 
afembled — 
The petition of the fubscribers officers in the Con- 

tinantal Line of the Army humbly Sheweth 

that by a refolution of the Honnorable Congrefs 
pafsed the 20*^^ day of September 1776, and other 
fubsequent refolves, the officers (and Soldiers, en- 
gaged for the War) of the american army, who fhall 
continu in fervice till the ellablishment of Peace, or in 
cafe of their Dying in fervice their Heirs, are entitled 
to recive certain grants of land according to their 
feveral graids, to be procured for them at the expence 
of the United States — 

that your petitioners are informed, that tract of 
Country Bounded North on Lake Erie, East on Pynn- 
falvania South eafl and South on the river Ohio, 
West on a line begining at that part of the Ohio 
which lies 24 mile west of mouth of the river Sioto, 
thence runing North on a Meridian line till it inter- 
sects the River Miami, which falls into Lake Erie, 
thence down the midle of that river to the Lake — Is 
a tract of country not claimed as the property of ; or 
within the jurisdiction of any pirticuler (late in the 
Union — 



2i6 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

that this country is of fufficent extent the lands of 
fuch a qualety and its Sittuation fuch as may induce 
Congrefs to afigne and mark it out as a tract or teri- 
tory futable to form a distinct goverment (or Colloney 
of the United States) — in time to be admited, one of 
the Confedirated States of America — 

Wherefore your petitioners pray that whenever the 
Honnorable Congrefs fhall be pleafed to procure the 
afore faid lands of the Natives, they will make provi- 
lion for the Location and Survey of the lands to which 
we are entitled, within the district aforefaid and alfo 
for all officers & Soldiers who wifh to take up their 
lands in that quarter — 

that provifion may alfo be made for a further grant 
of lands to Such of the army as wifh to become ad- 
venturers in the new goverment, in Such quantetys 
and on fuch conditions of fettlement, & purchefs, for 
public fecurities, as Congrefs fhall Judge most for the 
Intrift of the intended Govermt and rendering it of 
lasting confequence to the American Empire 
and as in Duty Bound 

will ever pray^ 

May 7ti> 1 783 — 

COPPY OF LETTER TO GEN^- WASHINGTON 

New Winsor June i6'h, 1783 
Sir 

As it is very unsertain how long it may be before 
the Honorable Congrefs, may take the petition of the 
officers of the Army, for lands between the Ohio River 
and Lake Erie, into conlideration, or be in a fittuation 
to defide thereon ; the Going to Philidelphia to nego- 
tiate the businefs with any of its members or Com- 

1 For the names of the two hundred and eighty-eight petitioning officers, 
see Manasseh Cutler — Life^ Journals, and Correspondence, vol. i. pp. 160- 
167. 



REFERENCES TO RUFUS PUTNAM'S PLAN OF 
PART OF THE CITY OF MARIETTA 

References* 

A B C D. Is the Remains of an ancient wall or rampert of Eartli 
whofe Bafe is from 25 to 36 feet and its height from 4 to 8 feet, at 
a it is 5, at b, 4, at c, 8 & at d, 6 feet high, the chafms or open- 
ings in the wall A C the largest 8 perch and the others 4 perch 14 
links and the other chafms appeared to be of the Same propotion 
Fig I is a mound of Earth with a Horizontol plane on the top 12 
perch by 8 and its hight 9 feet with gradual projecting afsents for 
going up on each Side while the other parts are as neer parpindic- 
uler as a compofition of earth will admit 

Fig 2 a mound of Earth whofe height is 8 feet, and the plain on 
the top 9.3 perch by 8.2 p'} and is every other way like the other 
except it has one Side indented — 

Fig 3 is evidently an artificial work but not So high nor perfect as 
the Figs I & 2 

Fig 4 is a bank of earth in form as the Figs describe[dj rifeing 
from 2 to 4 feet 

Figs 5 & 6 are two parralel walls of earth, distent from each other 
(from center to center) 14 perch, at e & f their parpindiculer height 
is 21 feet, and base 42 feet at g & h their height is 8 feet, (this 
height was taken on the infide or between the two walls, on the 
out Side they are no where more then 5 feet high.) it apears 
most probable that the margen of the plane was indented hear with 
a natural hollow which was improved into a Spacious and beauti- 
full pasage from the River to the principle work 
Fig 7 has by Some ben confidiered as an artificial work, but it 
may be justly doubted it rather appears a natural hollow way 
E F G H are walls or banks of earth, their height & ba' 

' For additional mimites concerning; General Putnam's survey of tb 
works, see Manassek Cutler — Li/e, Journah, and Corresfiomience, ■ 

{References continued on back of map) 



il$ tE5as£5ft-jj^j^j^ -;^t- 1 



^" fill'' '"^^A'. 



i 



5^>- 



^0 






^^''^i^. 



^1^ -X 



n^' r 






^.s 



^r 



'>7 



@'^-< 






«..«^ 2) 



%tf<f|i §-''7 



b^-^ 









4 / 



I iL / i'''**s I t 




ll 



HI. AX OF PART <>I 

At Ihi- conlhicncc of the riveis Oliio and M 
works touiid thi'ir. Surveyed for Lhc 




H .,^<«v5 






^^ ...>.- 



'^Ot'^ 



J^' 




HE CITY MARIETTA 

I 

iiing'uin tosrathei" with the rt'iiiaiiis of Hnclciit 

lio Companv. 17SS. By Rut'us Putnam 



{Continued fro-,n front of map) 

not taken by meafure, but they appear to be about 20 feet bafe and 

from 3 to 5 feet high 

Figs 8, 9, 10 are all imperfect traces of Somthing that appears like 

artiffical walls or banks of earth 

Fig II is the evident traces of a Rampert at the termination of the 

plane 

Fig 12 appears to be an artificial mound of earth whofe Bafe is in 

form of an Ellipsis and is about 3 feet high — 

Fig 13 is an artifical mound of earth whofe Bafe is about 4 perch 

Diameter and forms a hillock about 12 feet high 

Fig^ 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, all of them appear to 

be artificial hillocks of different dementions their Base? neerly 

cerculer. none of them are more then 30 feet diameter nor then 

5 feet high — 

Fig 25 is a mound of Earth whofe Bafe forms a reguler cercle 1 15 

feet Diameter and its Altitude 30 feet. See the elivation of this 

Figur in the head [right upper corner] of the Plan — 

Fig 26 is a level Space of 33 feet between the mound and Ditch 

Fig 27 a Ditch 15 feet wide & 4 feet deep 

Fig 28 a wall or I5ank of Earth 4 feet high, whofe Circumference 

is 45.9 perch, and its bafe 15 feet — 

Fig 29 is a chafni or opening probably intended for Gate way. 

Caves thefe places are by Some Suppofed to be artificial, but by 

others to be northing more then natural Cavins 

N B thefe works are all Situated on an Elivated plain, thoe not 

perfectly level, for Suppose a line drawn through the center of the 

principle work A B C D to Figure 25 or the Great Mound, the 

land decends gradually to the Margen of the Plain, where it Sud- 

enly falls about Forty feet, to the Intervelor first bottoms, towards 

the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, and in like maner towards the 

rivulets in the opposet direction 

Remember the high mound is too far South in this Plan 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 217 

mitte to whome the petition may be refered, is a 
meafure none of the petitioners will think of under- 
takeing 

The part I have taken in promoteing the petition 
is well known and therefore needs know appologies 
when I fay the figners expect I will take meafures to 
have it laid before Congrefs ; under thefe circum- 
llances I beg leve to put the petition into your Excel- 
lencys hands and with the greater afurenc ask your 
Patronage of it. — that Congrefs may not be wholly 
unacquaint with the motive of the petition, I beg 
you Indulgenc whil I make a few obfervations on 
the policy and propriety of granting the prayer of it 
and makeing fuch arangments of Garifons in the 
Western quarter as fhall give effectual protection to 
the fetlers and encourag emigration to the New Gov- 
erment which if they meet your approbation, & 
it is not too grate a favor, I must request your Ex- 
cellency will please to give them your fupport & caufe 
them to be forwarded with the petition to the prefi- 
dent of Congrefs in ordor that when the petition is 
taken up, congrefs, or their committee, may be in- 
formed on what principle the petition is grounded — 

I am Sir among those who confider the Cefsion of 
fo grate a tract of Teritory to the United States, in 
the Western World as a very happy circumllance ; 
and of grate confequence to the American Empire — 
— nor have I the least doubt but Congrefs will pay 
an early attention to fecureing the Allegience of the 
natives ; as well as provide for the defence of that 
Country in cafe of a War with Great Britain ; or 
Spain 

one grate mean of fecuring the allegience of the 
natives, I take to be the furnishing them with fuch 
necefsaries as they want, and in exchange reciveing 



2i8 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

their Furs and Skins — they are become fo acustomed 
to the use of Fire arms, that I doubt if they could gain 
a fubsistence without them, at least they will be very 
forry to be reduced to the disagreeable necefsity of 
useing the Bow and Arrow as the only means for kill- 
ing their gaim, and fo habituated are they to the 
Woolen Blanket &c that an abfolute necfsity alone 
will prevent their makeing use of them — 

This conlideration alone is, I think, fuf^cient to 
prove the necfsity of eflablishing fuch Factories as 
may furnish an ample fupply to thefe wretched crea- 
tures — for unlefs they are furnifhed by the fubjects 
of the United States they will undoubtly feek elfe 
where and like all other people forme their atach- 
ments where they have their commerfe, and then in 
cafe of a war will always be fertain to aidoMx enemys 
— therfore if there was no advantage in view but 
that of ataching them to our intrist, I think good 
policy would dictate the meafure of carying on a com- 
merce with thefe people, but when we add to this the 
conlideration of the profit ariseing from the Indian 
trade in general, their cannot I prefume be a doubt ; 
that it is the intrifl of the United States to make as 
earley provilion for the encouragement and protection 
of it as posable. 

For thefe and many other obvious reafons, Con- 
grefs will no Doubt find it necefsery to eflablish gari- 
fons at Oswego ; Niagara; Michillimakanac ; Illi- 
nois ; and many other places in the Western World 

The Illinois and all the post that fhall be ellablished 
on the Mifsifippi, may undoubtedly be furnished by 
way of the ohio with provilions at all times ; and with 
goods whenever a War fhall interrupt the trade with 
New Orleans. 

but in case of a war with great Brittain unlefs a 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 219 

communication is opened between the River ohio and 
Lake Erie; Niagara, Detroit; and all the posts 

feated on the grate Lakes, will enevitably be lost 

for with out fuch communication a Navel fuperiorety 
on Lake Ontario, or the feazing on Niagara; will 
fubject the whole country bordoring on the Lakes to 
the Will of the enemy — fuch a mifef ortune will put 
it out of the power of the United States to furnifh the 
Natives ; and necefsity again will oblige them to take 
part against us. — 

Where and how this communication is to be opened 
fhall next be confidered. if Cap* Hutchens and a 
number of other Map makers are not out in their 
calculations ; provifions may be fent from the fettel- 
ments on the fouth fide the ohio by the Muskingum 
or the Sioto ; to Detroit or even to Niagara, cheaper 
then from Albany, by the Mohawk to thofe places — 
to fecure fuch communication (by the Sioto all cir- 
cumflances confidered will be the bell) let a chain of 
post beellablished. thefe Forts fhould be built on the 
bank of the River if the ground will admit and about 
20 mile distent from each other and on this plan the 
Sioto communication, will require ten or eleven, 
flockade Forts Flanked by Block houfes and a com- 
pany of men will be a fufficient garifon for each ex- 
cept the one at the portage which will require more 
attention in the conllruction and a larger number of 
men to garifon it. 

but befides the fupplying the garifons on the great 
Lakes with provisions, &c — we ought to take into 
confideration, the protection that fuch an arrangement 
will give to the Frontiers of Virginia Pennfylvania 
and New-york, — I fay New-york for we fhall un- 
doubtedly extend our fettelments and garifons from 
the Hudfon to ofwego ; this don and a garifon polled 



220 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

at Niagara, whoever will infpect the Maps — must 
be convinced that all the Indians, liveing on the 
waters of the Mohawk Ofwego ; Susquehannah and 
Alegheny Rivers, and in all the country fouth of the 
Lakes, Ontario and Erie, will be encircled in fuch a 
maner as will effectually fecure their Allegience and 
keep them quiet, or oblige them to quit their coun- 
try — 

Nor will fuch an arrangement of posts from the 
Ohio to Lake Erie be any additional expence for 
unlefs this gap is fhut ; notwithflanding your garifons 
on the Lakes, and from ofwego to the Hudfon, yet 
the Frontier settelers on the ohio by Fort Pitt to the 
Susquehannah and all the Country fouth of the Mo- 
hawk will be exposed to favage infult ; unlefs pro- 
tected by a chain of garifons which will be far more 
expencive then the arrangment proposed ; and at the 
fame time the protection given to these Hates will 
be much lefs compleat. — befides we fhould not con- 
fine our protection to the prefent fettelments ; but 
cary the Idea of extending them at leall as far as the 
Lakes Ontario and Erie. 

thefe Lakes form fuch a natural barrier that when 
connected with the Hudfon and ohio by the garifons 
propofed, fettelments in every part of the Hate, of 
New york and Pennfylvania may be made with the 
utmost faifty — fo that thefe States must be deeply 
intrifled in the Meafure as well as Virginnia — who 
will have a grate part of her Frontier fecured and the 
reft much ftrengthened — 

Nor is there a ftate in the Union but will be greatly 
benefited by the meafure, confidered in a nother point 
of view — for without any expence except a fmall 
allowance of purches money to the Natives ; the 
United States will have within their protection about 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 221 

17,500,000 of acres of very fine lands, to dispose of 
as they fhall think proper. — but I hasten to mention 
fome of the expectations which the petitioners have 
refpecting the conditions on which they hope to 
obtain the lands ; this was not proper to mention in 
the body of the petition efpecially as we pray for 
grants to all members of the army who wifh to take 
up lands in that quarter 

The whole tract is fupposed to contain about 
17,418240 acres and will admit of 756 Townfhips of 
fix mile fquare — alowing to each Townfhip 3040 
acres for the Mineftry ; fchools ; Wast lands ; Rivers 
ponds and Highways then each Townfhip will con- 
tain of fetlers lands 20,000 acres and in the whole 
15,120,000 acres — the lands to which the army are 
entiteled by the refolves of Congrefs refered to in the 
petition, according to my eftemate will amount to 
about 2,106,850 acres which is about the 8*^ part of 
the whole for Xki'^furvey of this the army expect to 
be at no expence, nor do they expect to be under 
any obligation to fettle thefe lands or do any duty 
to fecure their title in them — but in ordor to induce 
the army to become fetlers in the New Goverment 
the petitioners hope Congrefs will make a further 
grant of lands on condition of fettelment, and have 
no doubt but that honorable body will be as liberal 
to all who are not provided for by their owne States 
as New-york have ben to the officers and foldiers 
who belong to that ftate — which if they do it will re- 
quire about 8,000,000 of acres to compleat the army 
and about 7,000,000 of acres will remain which the 
petitioner hope Congrefs will grant the army the 
exclufive right, at leafl for a time of purchesing with 
pubic fecurity at a given [?] price 

Thefe Sir ware the principels which gave rife to the 



222 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

petition under confideration, the Petitioners, at least 
fome of them, concive that found poHcy dictate the 
meafure and that Congrefs ought to loofe no time in 
eaflblifhing fome fuch chain of posts as has ben 
hinted at, and in procureing the tract of country- 
petitioned for of the Natives — for the moment this 
is don and agreeable tearms offered to the fetlers 
many of the petitioners are ditermined not only to 
become adventurers but actually to remove them- 
felves to this country ; and their is not the least 
doubt but many other valuable Cittizens will follow 
their example ; and the proverbility is that the Coun- 
try between the ohio and Lake Erie in a very few 
years will be filled with Inhabitents ; and the faithfull 
fubject of the United States, fo ellablifhed on the 
Waters of the ohio and the Lakes as to banilh forever 
the Idea of our Weflern Teritory falling under the 
Dominion of any European power the Frontiers of 
the old flates will be effectually fecured from favage 
alarams and the New will have little to fear from 
their Infults. 

but I cannot clofe this letter without obferveing 
that the petitioners (at least fom of them) are much 
oppofed to the monopoly of lands and wifh to guard 
against large patents being Granted to indeviduals, 
as in their opinion fuch a mode is very injurious to 
a country and grately retards its fettelment, and 
whenever fuch patannts are Tenanted, it throws too 
much power in the hands of a few — for thefe and 
many other obvious reafons the petitioners hope no 
grants will be made but by Townlhips of fix mile 
fquair or fix by twelve or fix by eighteen ; to be fub- 
divided by the proprietors : to fix mile fquair that 
being the flandard on which they wifh all calculation 
may be made and that officers and foldiers as well 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 223 

as thofe who petition for charters ; on purches, may 
form their afoliation on one Uniform priciple as to 
Number of perfons or rights to be contained in a 
Townfhip — with this exception only that when the 
Grant is made for reward of fervice already don or 
on condition of fettelment, if the officers petition with 
the foldiers for a pirticuler Townfhip, the foldier fhall 
have one right only to three of the Captain and fo in 
propotion with other officer, to be the better under- 
llood I will propofe the following fcheam, each clafs 
of proprietors for a grant or charter of land to con- 
list of 100 rights made up in the following maner ^ 

COPPy OF A LETTER TO GEN'' WASHINGTON 

Rutland April ye 5th 1784 
Dear Sir 

being unavoidably prevented from attending the 
General meeting of the Cincinati at Philidelphia as I 
had intended where I once more expected the opper- 
tunity in perfon to pay my refpects to your Excel- 
lency, I cannot denye my Self the honour of addrefs- 
ing you by letter, to acknowledge with gratitude the 
ten thousand obligations I feal my Self under to your 
goodnefs and moll Sincearly to congratulate you on 
your return to domistic hapinefs, to enquire after 
your health and wifh the best of heavens blefsings 
may attend you and your Dear Lady — 

the Settlement of the ohio Country Sir ingrofses 
many of my thoughts, and much of my time Sence I 
left Camp has ben employed in informing my Self 
and others with refpect to the Nature Situation and 
circumflances of that country, and the pratability of 
removeing our Selves there and if I am to form an 
opinion on what I have Seen and heard on the Sub- 

1 The original draft is incomplete. 



224 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

ject there is thousands in this quarter will Emigrate 
to that country as Soon as the honourable Congrefs 
make provision for granting lands their and locations 
and Settlements can be made with Saifty, unlefs 
such provision is too long delayed, I mean till ne- 
cefsity turn their view another way which is the cafe 
with Some already and must Soon be the cafe with 
many more — you are Sencible of the necefsity as 
well as the propriety of both officers and Soldiers 
fixing them Selves in bufinefs Somewhere as Soon 
as posable, as many of them are unable to lie long 
on their oars waiting the desition of Congrefs on our 
petition and therefore mufl unavoidably fix them 
Selves in Some other quarter which when don the 
Idea of removeing to the ohio Country will proba- 
bly be at an end with refpect to most of them — 
besides the Commonwealth of Mafsachusetts have 
come to a refolution to Sell their Eastern Country for 
public Securities, and Should their plan be formed 
and their propositions be made public before we hear 
any thing from Congrefs refpecting our petition and 
the terms on which the lands petitioned for, are to be 
obtained it will undoubtedly be much against us by 
Greatly lefsening the number of ohio afsociates 

Another reafon why we wifh to know as Soon as 
posable what the intentions of Congrefs are refpect- 
ing our petition is the effect Such knowledge will 
probably have on the Credit of the Certificates we 
have recived on Settlement of accounts those Secur- 
ities are now Selling at no more then 3/6 & 4/ on 
the pound, which in all probability might double if 
no more the moment it was known that Goverment 
would recive them for lands in the ohio Country — 
from thefe circumflances and many others which 
might be mentioned we are growing quite impatient 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 225 

and the general enquiry now is when are we going to 
the Ohio — among others Brigdear Gen^ Tupper L* 
Col° Oliver and Major Afhley have agreed to accom- 
pany me to that country the moment the way is open 
for Such an undertakeing — 

I Should have hinted thefe things to Some member 
of Congrefs, but the Delegates from Mafsachusetts 
althoe exceeding worthy men and in General would 
wifh to promote the Ohio Scheme yet if it Should 
Militate with the perticuler intrest of this State by 
draneing her of inhabitants efpecially when she is 
forming the plan of Selling the Eastern country, I 
thought they would not be very warm advocates in 
our favor and I dare not trust my Self with any of the 
New york Delagates with whome I was acquainted, 
becaufe that Goverment are wifely inviteing the 
Eastern people to Settle in that State and as to the 
Deligats of other States I have no acquaintance with 
any of them 

thefe circumflances must apologize for my trou- 
bling you on this Subject, and requesting the favor 
of a line to inform us in this quarter what the 
prospects are with refpect to our petition and what 
meafures have or are like to be taken with refpect 
to Settling the ohio Country — 

I Shall take it as a very perticuler favor Sir if you 
will be kind enough to recommend me to Some 
Charractor in Congrefs acquainted with and attached 
to the ohio caufe with whome I may prefume to open 
a corispondence 

I am Sir with the Highest refpect 
your humble Servant 

RuFus Putnam 

Gen^ Washington 



226 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

gen"- washingtons letter 

Mount Vernon ad June 1784 
Dear Sir, 

I could not answer your favor of the 5^^ of April ^ 
from Philadelphia because Gen^ Knox having mislaid, 
only presented the letter to me in the moment of 
my departure from that place. — The sentiments of 
esteem & friendship which breathe in it are exceed- 
ingly pleasing & flattering to me — and you may 
rest afsured they are reciprocal. — 

I wish it was in my power to give you a more fa- 
vorable ace* of the Officers petition for Lands on the 
Ohio, & its Waters than I am about to do — After 
this matter, & information respecting the establish- 
ment for Peace, were my enquiries as I went through 
Annapolis solely directed but I could not learn that 
any thing decisive had been done in either — Of the 
latter I hear Congrefs are differing about their powers 
but as they have accepted of the Cefsion from Virginia 
& have resolved to lay off 10 New States bounded by 
latitudes & longitudes it should be supposed that they 
would determine something respecting the former 
before they adjourn ; and yet, I very much question 
it as the latter is to happen on the third — that is to 
morrow — 

As the Congrefs who are to meet in November 
next by the adjournment will be composed from an 
entire new choice of Delegates in each State it is not 
in my power at ^/tts time to direct you to a proper 
corrispondent in that body — I wish I could — for 
persuaded I am that to some such cause as you 
have afsigned may be afcribed the delay the petition 
has encountered for surely \i justice ^gratitude to the 

^ Page 223. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 227 

Army — and get^ policy of the Union were to govern 
in this case there would not be the smallest interrup- 
tion in granting its request — I really feel for those 
Gendemen who by these unaccountable delays (by 
any other means than those you have suggested) are 
held in such an awkward & disagreeable State of sus- 
pence ; and wish my endeavors could remove the 
obstacles — at Princeton (before Congrefs left that 
place) I exerted every power I was master of, & dwelt 
upon the arguments you have used to shew the pro- 
priety of a speedy decision — every member with 
whom I conversed acquiesced in the reasonablenefs 
of the petition — all yielded, or seemed to yield to 
the policy of it, but plead the want of cefsion of the 
Land to act upon — this is made and accepted & yet 
matters (as far as they have come to my knowledge) 
remain in Statu quo. 

I am endeavoring to do something with the lands 
I now hold, & have held in that Country these 12 or 
14 years — The enclosed ^ contain the terms upon 
which I propose to Lease them — I am not sanguine 
in my expectations that I shall obtain Tenants upon 
them in this Country ; & yet, on Leases renewable 
for ever, or for the term of 999 years I will not (con- 
sidering the advantages of these Lands, in quality & 
situation) take lefs — for a short term I care little about 
the Rents because knowing the value and convenience 
of the Land, I am certain that the improvements which 
are conditioned to be made thereon, will enable me 
thereafter to command my own terms — if you think 
the promulgation of the Paper enclosed can be of 

1 Page 228. 



228 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Service to others or myself it is optional with you to 

do it 

I am — D>- Sir 

With very sincere esteem & regard 
V Most Obed Serv* 
G° Washington 
Brig Gen^ Putnam. 

GEN^ WASHINGTONS ADVERTIZEMENT 
[Enclosed in the preceding letter.] 

Mount-Vernon, Aprt/ 2, 1784. 

The Subfcriber would leafe about 30,000 acres of 
land on the Ohio and Great Kanhawa, for which he 
has had patents ten or twelve years : Ten thoufand 
of thefe, in three tradts, lie upon the Ohio, between 
the mouths of the two Kanhawas, having a front upon 
the river of fifteen miles, and beautifully bordered by 
it. — The remaining 20,000 acres, in four other fur- 
veys, lie upon the Great Kanhawa, from the mouth, 
or near it, upwards. — Thefe four tradts, together, 
have a margin upon that river, by which it is bounded, 
of more than 40 miles. 

After having faid thus much of the land, it is almofl 
fuperfiuous to add that the whole of it is river low 
grounds, of the firll quality — but it is effential to re- 
mark that a great deal of it may be converted into 
the finefl mowing ground imaginable, with little or no 
labour, nature, and the water-Hops which have been 
made by the bever, having done 7nore to effedl this, 
than years of hard labour in moll other rich foils ; and 
that the land back of thefe bottoms, mull for ever 
render the latter uncommonly profitable for flock, on 
account of the extenfivenefs of the range, as it is of 
a nature, being extremely broken, not to be feated or 
cultivated. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 229 

Thefe lands may be had on three tenures — Firft, 
until January 1795, and no longer. — Second, until 
January 1795, renewable every ten years for ever. — 
Third, for nine hundred and ninety-nine years. 
The RENTS, CONDITIONS, and privileges, are as 
follow : 

First, An exemption from rent three years, upon 
condition, that five acres for every hundred, and pro- 
portionably for a greater or lelTer quantity, contained 
in the leafe, fhall, within that fpace be cleared and 
tilled, or in order for the latter ; and a houfe fit for 
the comfortable accommodation of the tenant eredted 
on the premifes. 

Second, That before the expiration of the term of 
the leafes of the firfl tenure, or the firll ten years of thofe 
of the fecond and third, a dwelling-houfe of brick, or 
flone, or of framed work, with a Hone or brick chimney, 
and a good barn, fuited to the fize of the tenement, 
fhall be built thereon ; an orchard of good fruit, to 
confifl of as many trees as there are acres fpecified 
in the leafe planted and inclofed ; and five acres for 
every hundred, and proportionably for a greater or 
lelTer quantity, improved into meadow, which, or the 
like quantity, fhall always be retained for mowing. 

Third, The land to be accurately meafured to each 
grantee, who will be allowed to take (in regular form 
with an extenfion back proportioned to the front of 
the river) as much as his inclination and ability may 
require, which quantity fhall be fecured to him and 
his heirs, by a leafe in the ufual form, with proper 
claufes, binding on landlord and tenant, for perform- 
ance of covenants. 

Fourth, A Spanifh milled dollar of the prefent coin, 
fhall pafs in payment for fix Ihillings, and other gold 
and filver in that proportion. 



230 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Fifth, The flaple commodity, or other article of pro- 
duce (for the greater eafe and convenience of the 
tenant) may be fubflituted in lieu of money-rent in 
the leafes, if the parties, at or before the firft rent fhall 
become due, can agree upon a medium value for it. 

Sixth, If the exigency or policy of the State in 
which thefe lands lie, fhould at any time impofe a tax 
upon them, or their appendages, fuch tax is to be 
borne by the tenant. 

Seventh, Thefe conditions, &c. being common to 
the leafes of the three different tenures, the rent of 
the firft will be Four Pounds per annum, for every 
hundred acres contained in the leafe, and proportion- 
ably for a greater or leffer quantity. — Of the fecond. 
One Shilling for every acre contained in the leafe, 
until the year 1 795 — One Shilling and Sixpence for 
the like quantity afterwards, until the year 1805 — Two 
Shillings afterwards, till the year 18 15 — and the like 
increafe per acre for every ten years, until the rent 
amounts to and fhall have remained at Five Shillings 
for the ten years next enfuing — after which it is to 
encreafe Three-pence per acre every ten years forever. 
— Of the Third, Two Shillings for every acre therein 
contained, at which it will Hand for 999 years, the 
term for which it is granted. 

The fituation of thefe lands are not only pleafant, 
but in any point of view, in which they can be con- 
fidered, muft be exceedingly advantageous ; for if the 
produce of the country, according to the ideas of fome, 
fhould go down the Miffiffippi, they are nearly as 
convenient for that tranfportation, having the flream 
without any obftru(5tion in it to defcend, as thofe which 
are now fettling about the Falls of the Ohio, and upon 
Kentucky — to the choice of which, among other rea- 
fons, people were driven by the grants to the officers 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 231 

and foldiers, of which thefe are part in the upper 
country, and from the impradticability of obtaining 
lands in extenlive bodies elfewhere. — If it fhould 
come by way of Fort-Pitt to Potomack (which is the 
mofl natural) or to the Sufquehanna — by the Great 
Kanhawa to James-River — or by the Lakes Erie 
and Ontario to New-York, they are infinitely more fo 

— being, according to Hutchins's table of diftances, 
422 miles (all of which is againll the flream) nearer to 
thofe markets than the fettlements lafl mentioned : — 
And what in the prefent lituation of things, is a mat- 
ter of no trifling confideration, no other claims can 
interfere with thefe, patents having been long granted 
for the land, and the property of it well known ; — 
and befides, by lying on the fouth eafl fide of the 
Ohio, can give no jealoufy to the Indians — the pro- 
prietors of it therefore may cultivate their farms in 
peace, and fifh, fowl, and hunt, without fear or mo- 
lellation. 

Although I do not lay any flrefs upon it, the pre- 
fumption being that the Indians, during the late war, 
have laid all in ruins — yet it is on record in the 
courts of Botetourt and Fincallle (in which counties 
the land did lie) that buildings, meadows, and other 
improvements, which were made thereon in the years 
1774 and 1775, defignedly for the accommodation of 
tenants, cofl the Subfcriber, as appears by oaths of 
fworn appraifers (conformably to the directions of an 
adl of the AlTembly of Virginia, for feating and culti- 
vating new lands) ;^.I568 185. 7^, equal to £.\^(i\ 
35. 3(^. Maryland Pennfylvania, or Jerfey currency. 

Thefe lands being peculiarly well adapted for fmall 
focieties, who may incline to be detached and retired 

— Any fuch applying in a body, or by their pallors 
or agents, fhall have every affillance and encourage- 



V 



232 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

ment, which can with convenience and propriety be 
given, by 

G. Washington. 

Alexandria : Printed By G. Richards, and Company. 



/ SECRETARY THOMPSONS LETTER 

/ 

"^ Office of Secretary of Congress 

May 28th 1785 

Sir, 

I have the pleasure to inform you that the United 
States, in Conformity to their Ordinance for afcertain- 
ing the mode of dispoling of lands in the western 
territory, of which I enclofe you a copy, have pro- 
ceeded to the election of Surveyors and have chofen 
you one of them. You will please to inform me, as 
foon as pofsible, of your Acceptance that I may make 
Report thereof to Congrefs, — 

I am 

Sir your obedient 
humble Servant 
Cha Thomson 
M' RuFus Putnam 

copy of a LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT 

New YORK July 24111 1790 
Sir 

I left Muskingum the 2^ inllent. Northing New in 
that quarter Sence M' Morgan came on except, that 
a number of horfes ware Stolen and one man killed, 
at Belle-vill (a Virginia Settlement about three mile 
below the Great Hockhocking) which appears to be 
a Mifschief altogather unprovoaked — and about the 
28*^^ of June a woman was taken on the Virginnia 
Side neer Buffaloe Creek, and afterward murdered — 
but this bufinefs was prefaced by the White people 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 233 

Stealing a number of horfes from the Indians and 
refuseing to deliver them up : 

the New england people have had many horfes 
Stolen last fall & this Spring. Some by white people, 
but more by Indians, and there is Sufficient evidence 
that the Dellewares & Wyndot who were at the last 
Treety as well as the Shawones have ben concerned 

in this Robery there is alfo good reafon to 

beleve that Several belonging to thofe tribes who at- 
tended the last treet[y] have ben concerned in mur- 
dering the people and plundng the boats going down 
the ohio the last winter & Spring, and it is alfo Said 
that a number of White people were among that 
Gang of Robbers it Seems they are provided with 
Boats on the Sioto & haveing obtained any booty 
retiere with it up that River, a Small Detachment of 
Troops Stationed at the mouth of the Sioto I think 
would in Great meafure if not wholly put a Stop to 
this kind of buiinefs, and at the Same time give con- 
fidence to the New Settlements commenceing between 
that and the Great Kenhawa — 

by letters recived at Muskingum from M"" Secretary 
Sargent, I learned that Govn S* Clair was Still in II- 
lions [Illinois] country and would not probably return 
to Muskingum till October. I alfo heard that Mifieurs 
Syms and Turner ^ left the Miami, in the month of 
May to attend the Govenor — under thefe Circum- 
llances I concived it best to return imediately for my 
family and expect to be at Muskingum with them by 
the time the Govenor Shall return — 

I leve this on monday morning. Shall be in town 
again the first or Second week in September on my 
way to Muskingum 

1 General Putnam's judicial colleagues. 



234 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

LETTER TO M'^ AMES ^ 
1790 

Sir 

In converfation with you at New-york in July last 
(if I recollect right) you made this a question " ? can 
we retain the western country within the goverment 
of the United States : and if we can of what use will 
it be too them " — 

I confefs this Subject is far beyond my abilities to 
do Justice too yet I feal my Self so intrested in the 
question that I cannot forbare makeing a few obser- 
vations thereon. 

For that those countrys may always be retained 
within the goverment of the United States, & that it 
will be our intrest they Should is, at prefent, my 
desided opinion — 

that they may be retained appears to me evident 
from the following consideration viz that it will al- 
ways be their intrest they Should remain connected, 
now Sir if I can prove this: I concive that the 
proposition that they may be retained &c, will be 
fully ellablished ; for it is unreafonable to Suppose 
that a people will purfue meafures inconfistent with 
their intrest: althoe it is posable they may. it is 
true that Flour, Hemp, Tobacco, Iron, Pot-afh, and 
Such bulky articles will go down the Mifsifippi to 
New Orleans for Market, and be their Sold, or Shiped 
to the Atlantic States ; Europe & the West Indies, 
and it is alfo admited that the countrys west of the 
mountains and lying below or to the Southward of 
the Junction of the Ohio with the Mifsifippi ; may 
Import goods from New Orleans ; and therefore it is 
abfolutely necefsary that the people of the Western 

1 Fisher Ames, Member of Congress from Massachusetts. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 235 

Country, in Some way or other, at a proper period 
Should be pofsefsed of the free navagation of the Mif- 
sifippi river, but it dos not follow from hence that 
it will be for their intrest to loose their connection 
with the Atlantic States but the contrary will appear 
if we consider : that all the Beef, Pork, & Mutton 
(from a very Great part of the western country) will 
come to the Seaports of Verginia, Maryland & 
Pennfylvania to market, as will alfo most of the Furs 
Skins, &c, obtained by the Indian Trade to those 
places & New York much more to the advantage of 
the West country people then they can be Sent to 
New-orleans, or Quebeck 

Befides, all the Goods for carrying on the Indian 
Trade as well as Supplying the Inhabitants even to 
the Kentucke and Wabafh Country, are, at prefent, 
imported into that country from Philidelphia, Balti- 
more, Alexandria, &c &c &c much cheaper then they 
can be obtained from New-orleans, or Quebeck. 
And their is not the lest doubt but when the navaga- 
tion of the Potowmack is compleated, with the carry- 
ing place to the Monongahala, according to the plan 
of the undertakers, the transport of goods, into the 
western country will be lowered fifty per Cent — and 
Should other communication be opened, which their 
is no doubt but their will, between the Susquehannah 
& Allegheny Rivers — James River and the Great 
Kenhawa ; the expence of Transportation will be re- 
duced Still lower. In Short from the Seaports of the 
United States : to Niagara Detroit & even to the 
Lake of the Woods ; goods can be Supplyed cheaper 
then from any other quarter — 

From this Statement of facts which I prefume can 
never be disproved, I concive it fully appears to be 
the intrest of the peopl of the Western country to 



236 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

remain a part of the United States, if it be Said they 
may be Seperated and yet retain all the advantages 
of Trade here mentioned, I anfwer that is pofable, 
but by no means probable ; for (admit the Seperation 
was not hostile) it is by no means reafonable to Sup- 
pose that the Leglislature of the United States would 
pay the Same attention to the Subjects of a Foreign 
power as to their own ; nor is it to be prefumed that 
thofe people will ever Forget, that while they remain 
a part of the union, they will have their voice in all 
the councils of the nation, and that no law can pafs 
but what must effect their breathren on this Side the 
mountain as well as themfelves to be deprived of a 
commerce with the United States would be greatly 
to the injury if not the ruin of that country, and to 
voluntarily deny themfelves a voice in the regulation 
of that commerce and trust them Selves (without any 
check or controul) in the hands of those whose in- 
trest would be distinct from their own, is a folly I 
trust they never will be guilty of — 

But it may be said their are advantages to be 
gained which will over ballance all this lofs — pray 
let us attend a little to this matter. ? will they put 
them Selves under the Vice-Roy of Canada ? what 
will be their gain here : a Leglislative Council of the 
Kings own appointment ; gives law to the province, 
except that the whole is under the controul of a 
Military Govenor. a few by permifion from Lord 
Dotchester, or Somebody else, may cary goods into 
the Indian country, but the returns must be made 
to Quebeck. Surely this Goverment can never Suit 
their genus nor be for their intrest — Nor is the ad- 
vantage to be derived from the Spanish Goverment 
much better, it is True that New-orleans will be a 
great Mart for their produce, but it is very doubtfull 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 237 

if they ware Spanish Subjects whether they would 
enjoy greater previledges then they might without 
— The inhabitants would certainly have no voice in 
the matter but must be Subject to the will of a Des- 
pot, they could expect no indulgence but what 
Should comport with the intrefl of the govenor and 
Spanifh Court and this they may reafonably expect 
even Should they remain a part of the United States : 
So that if the object be to unite them with Great Brit- 
tain or Spain I See northing that is in the lest degree 
worth their attention — 

but prehaps the Idea is that they Should Set up 
for a Seperate independent Goverment : this mag- 
got I know is in the head of Some people ; therefore 
we will consider of it a little and See if we can 
find it to be for their intrest : and for argument Sake 
we will Suppose the United States to consent to all 
this, we will fuppose more, that they Grant a free 
trade to the Subjects of this New goverment ; and 
then pray tell me what they will be bettered for it — 
nay ?will they not be in a much worse Situation 
? will they not incur a very Great expence to Support 
their new Goverment beyond what their propotion 
to the old can posably be : and ? can it then be for 
their intrest to be Seperated. 

it may be Said they want a free trade to New Or- 
leans and thence to Sea, that while they remain a 
part of the United States this is not likely to be ob- 
tained, that the intrest of the old States and theirs in 
this refpect is inconsistent with each other, that the 
object is first to Seperate them Selves from the Union 
and then to clear the river of the Spaniards — this I 
have heard is the language of Some people at Ken- 
tucke : but ? is it rational ? will the meafure be for 
their intrest and if not for their intrest are we to Sup- 



238 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

pose the meafure will be purfued ? have thefe people 
conlidered that the United States are deeply intrested 
in oppofeing Such Seperation ? have they conlidered 
that driveing the Spaniards out of the River will not 
give them a free Trade to Sea ? do they know that 
the Harbours of Penfacola and the Havanna are So 
Situated that a few Crufers from them Sent into 
the Bay not one vesfel in a thousand going from or 
returning to the Mifsisippi would efcape falling into 
their hands, no Sir So far would Such a meafure 
be from giveing them a free trade to Sea that it would 
put an end to their prefent market and all reafonable 
prospects of a compenfation for the lofs — nor do I 
concive that the intrest of the atlantic States and the 
western country as it refpects the Navagation of 
the Mifsisippi by any means clafh — For if it is for 
the intrest of the United States ; that Tobacco, Flour 
Pot-afh, Iron & lumber of all kinds with Ships ready 
built, Should be Sent to Europe and the West Indies 
by way of remittence for goods obtained from thofe 
Countrys — if Hemp, Flax, Iron and many other 
raw meterials be of any use to be brought into the 
Atlantic States for the purpos of manufacturing — 
then it is the intrefl of thofe States that the Nava- 
gation of the Mifsisippi Should be free 

Thus Sir I have endevored to prove that it is and 
always will be the intrest of the Western country to 
remain a part of the United States — I do not deny 
but what Such circumstances may exist, as Shall not 
only make it the wifh of Sum but of all the inhabit- 
ants of that country to be Seperated from the old 
States : but what I contend for is that thefe circum- 
stances do not nor ever can (if I may be alowed 
the exprefsion) exist naturely. I alow that Should 
Congrefs give up her claim to the navagation of the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 239 

Miffisippi or Ceed it to the Spaniards, I beleve the 
people in the Western quarter would Seperate them 
Selves from the United States very Soon. Such a 
meafure I have no doubt would excite So much rage 
and disafection that the people would Sooner put 
themfelves under the despotic goverment of Spain 
then remain the indented Servents of Congrefs — or 
Should Congrefs by any means fail to give the in- 
habitants of that country Such protection as their 
prefent Infant State requires, connected with the in- 
trest and dignity of the United States, in that cafe 
Such events may take place as will oblige the inhabit- 
ents of that country to put themfelves under the pro- 
tection of Great Brittain or Spain : and I know alfo 
that in every country their are ambitious minds who 
paying more attention to the emoluments of office 
then the public good, may Influence people to purfue, 
as the object of their hapinefs, meafures which will 
end in their ruin but thefe things make northing 
against my proposition, for we are not to Suppose that 
Congrefs will do wrong where it is their intrest to do 
right, and this brings me to enquire of what ufe those 
countrys may be to the United States, and first the 
lands of the Western Teritory and which are the pro- 
perty of the United States, except what claim the 
natives have to them amount at left to — 169,600,000, 
acres out of which must be referved for future Sale 
14,133,333, acres agreably to the ordinance of the 
late Congrefs. then 155,466,667 acres remain for 
Sale now Suppose this Sold at half a Dollar per acre 
(which is 5^ of a Dollar below what any has ben Sold 
for as yet) and it amounts to 77,733,333-5 Dollars, 
but it may be Said this is the price in Public Securities, 
and that the lands will not fetch more then a quarter 
that Sum in hard money, be it So, and then the neat 



240 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

proceeds will amount to 19,433333.7 [sic] Dollars, 
this Sir is no trifeling Som but is by no means the 
Greatest advantage to be derived from thofe lands, 
three lots of one mile Square is (by the ordinance 
of the Late Congrefs) referved in each Township for 
the future Disposition of Goverment and the Local 
Situation of thefe lots are such as to command a high 
price, and at the end of half a Century (in which time 
they are to cost the goverment northing) it is a very 
moderate calculation to rate them at four Dollars 
the acre in Specie and then their amount will be 
56,533,332, dollars a Sum Sufficient to build and 
equip a Fleet Superiour to that any nation in Eu- 
rope — we have before hinted that the produce of 
the Western country will afford a Great Source of 
remittence for European & West India Goods, and 
in a very few years that country will be able to Sup- 
ply the Atlantic States with Such abundence of the 
raw meterials for makeing Duck and Cordage as 
will prevent all necefsity of Sending abroad for thofe 

the perticuler advantage to be derived from the 
paltry Trade I am not able to afsertain, however, 
this we know that it is confidered as a very Lucra- 
tive bufmefs, that it affords meterials for manufato- 
ries, much to the advantage of the Englifh Subject, 
and the advantage this trade must be to us would 
undoubtedly exceed what it is or can be to them — 
in the year 1773 I heard M'' Chester, then Govenor 
of Weft Florida, Say that from the duty paid in 
London, on the American Peltry it appeared, the 
Indian paid a Tax to the king of two Shiling Ster- 
ling on each poll, includeing men women and chil- 
dren, and why a revenue might not be derived to 
the United Stats from this quarter I know not — 

again while thofe countrys remain a part of the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 241 

United States they will pay the Same dutys on all 
imported goods which they confume as the other 
Subjects of the Union, which in cafe of a Seperation 
would be totally lost, and the Same obfervation ap- 
plys equelly to all Goods furnished for the Indian 
Trade — at prefent this revenu may not exceed 
20,000 Dollars but in the Course of half a Century 
if we only Suppose the number of inhabitants to be 
one Million & the goods they Shall confume, to be at 
the rate only of three dollars and one third per per- 
son (which is a very moderate allowance for an anuel 
confumtion) this only at five per Cent, will amount 
to 166,500, dollars pr annum 

I am Sencible their will be Some expence attend- 
ing this bufmefs for the Indian Treaties & prefents 
we will alow 20,000 dollars a year, for fifty year, 
which will amount to no more than one Million of 
Dollars, and we will allow three regiments of Infentry 
and an Artillery core equel to a regiment of Infentry 
in expence and to this we will ad a Core of Horfe of 
like expence. then we Shall have the anual expence 
of five Regiments and we will alow the pay victual- 
ling and cloathing of each Regiment to anually 
Cost one hundred thousand Dollars, then the anual 
expence of the whole will be half a million of Dol- 
lars, this Sir is makeing a very extravagant charge 
againft that country for its protection, yet when we 
take into confideration the value of the lands when 
Sold, the products of the Country for remittence 
and manufactorys, the Peltry trade &c with the duty 
on imported goods. Sent into that country for the 
Indian trade and the confumption of its inhabitants, 
the Ballance in favor of retaining that teritory as a 
part of the United States appears evident to be very 
great — But their is another point of light in which 



242 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

we ought to consider this matter, for if we would 
know the real advantages that country must be to 
this, remaining United, we ought to consider what 
probable mifschefs will enfue by a Disunion : and 
among thefe may be reconed the lofs of more then 
Seventy five million of Dollars in the Sale of lands, 
an annual revennue of more then one hundred & 
Sixty thousand Dollars on european, & west India 
Goods, with all the advantages that can posably 
arrife from the Peltry trade And what is matter of 
Serious consideration, it is more then probable (in 
cafe of a Seperation from the United States) that 
country would be divided between Great Brittain 
and Spain, for I can See no reafon to Suppose they 
will maintain a Seperate existence, and then I Sup- 
pose the western boundary of the United States must 
be the Allegheny mountains ; a miferable Frontier 
this (and yet the best to be found if we give up the 
Western country) that will require more expence to 
Guarde, then the protection of all the western Teri- 
tory — The natural boundaries of the Great Lakes 
and the Mifsifippi River aded to the inhabitants of 
the Western quarter will give Such Strenght and 
Security to the old States if properly attended too, 
as they must, most Sensiably feal the want of in cafe 
of a Seperation — 

But I have no doubt, but you Sir and all the mem- 
bers of Congrefs, will give the Subject a full exami- 
nation, and ditermin on Such meafures as will most 
promote the General good of the nation, and in that 
cafe I think one might reafonably hope. Soon to See 
the forces of the United States in the western coun- 
try So increased in numbers that, if the British pofts 
are not given up, yet Such eftablishments may be 
made in the Indian country as to bring the natives 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 243 

who at present remain hostile, to Submision And 
protect the Nations who are well disposed towards 
us, not only from their Savage Breethren who are So 
much under Britifh influence, but alfo from the peo- 
ple on the Frontiers of Pennfylvania & Virginnia, 
too many of whome reguard not the authorety of their 
own States, nor yet of Congrefs, more then the Sav- 
ages themfelves — In this place Sir, I will take the 
liberty to inform you that in the year 1783 a petition 
was prefented to the then congrefs praying for a grant 
of lands in the western quarter ; that the utility and 
policy of eftablilliing Posts and forming Settlements 
that Should extend from the Ohio to Lake Erie was 
clearly pointed out in a letter from the Commander 
in Cheif, and other papers accompaning Said peti- 
tion, and which I prefume are now among the files 
of the late Congrefs, which I wifli you to confult at 
your leafure. Beging leve at this time to add, that I 
concive the more this Subject is examined the greater 
will appear the confequence that it Should be effected 
as Soon as practicable : for from Lake Erie, by a 
very eafie navagation, and Short portages, an army 
may decend by the Allegheny, Muskingum, Sioto, 
Big Miami, or the Wabash Rivers into any part of 
the Ohio Country, and So from Lake Erie as from a 
common center fall on any part of the Ohio Country, 
extending more then one thousand miles in length 
on that river, and thus the whole western Teritory is 
liable to be loft by Surprize, while on the other hand 
was their posts eftablifhed on, or neer. Lake Erie, 
even thoe we ware not in pofsestion of Detroit or 
Niagara, the natives disposed to peace would be 
protected, their numbers and attachment increesed, 
the Indian Trade greatly augmented, and that coun- 
try Soon filled with inhabitents in Such maner that 



244 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

every reafonable fear of loofeing it in cafe of a war 
with Great Brittain would be for ever Banifhed — 

was this protection given we might reafonably 
hope to See So numerous a body of well informed 
and well disposed Citizens placeing themfelves in 
that quarter as would be able to counteract all the 
meafures which any might attempt toward a Sepera- 
tion from the old States — And if this protection is 
Given ? might we not alfo hope from the lands al- 
ready Granted for a University, and others appropri- 
ated for the Support of Schools in General, with Some 
further provisions of little expence, I Say might we 
not hope, Soon to See Such means of education Set 
on foot as will have a most favorable afpect on the 
maners of the people in that country, and remove 
the danger that in a State of Ignorence with the art 
of defigning men they will always be under to mifs- 
take their true intrest — 

if Sir the Western country is to be retained as a 
part of the United States, I concive the Immediate 
protection and peopeling of that tract between the 
ohio and lake Erie has a Direct Tendency and is the 
first link in the chain of arrangments towards com- 
pafsingthe Great object, and if neglected may prove 
an infinite mifschief to the United States : for it was 
in full confidence that Such protection would be 
aforded that the ohio, Sioto and other companys 
have contracted for lands to a very great amount. 
Now Sir unlefs this protection is given thefe con- 
tracts must all fail (to the lofs of many Million of dol- 
lars to the United States) yor of what value are lands 
without inhabitants^ and who zmll wifh to ifihabit a 
country where no reasonable protection is aforded — 

Another circumflance which renders the present 
moment importent, in point of giveing that diilrict 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 245 

protection, Is, the people Settling at Muskingum & 
the Miami, not haveing thofe prejudices against the 
Natives which commonly arife from long wars with 
them, are lead into Such a line of conduct towards 
them, under the wise management of Govenor St 
Clare and other principle carractors, as gives the 
fairest prospect of peace and tranquilety to the fron- 
tiers in general, if Such military force is eflablifhed 
as Shall make the goverment of the united States in 
the Western teritory a terror to evil doers, and a 
protection to Such as Shall do well. — 

I have already exceeded the common bounds of 
a letter but their is one circumflance, I -cannot for- 
bare mentioning which is the opposition that many 
New-England people and perticulerly in Mafsachu- 
setts, exprefs against the Settlement of the Western 
country, efpecially by their own inhabitants remove- 
ing thither, this oppolition I prefume arifes cheifly 
from two Sources, viz. the drawing off her inhab- 
itants and preventing the Settlement of her eastern 
lands 

as to the first I concive it will make no meterial 
odds for if they do not remove to the ohio they will 
emigrate to New york, or Vermont — while their is 
any vacant lands to be come at the population in the 
cultivated part of the country will remain neerly the 
Same. I beleve in old Mafsachusetts the number of 
pools has varied very little this many years, and the 
reafon is obvious for within that tract their is no 
room for new Settlements of any confequence. And 
as to the eastern country it is a very fine place for 
lumber, and in that refpect is of great Service to 
Mafsachusetts : but any confiderable number of peo- 
ple more in that district then to cary on this businefs 
will be a diservice distroying the timber which ought 



246 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

to be preferved that country in General is not 

fit for cultivation and when this idea is connected 
with the climate, a man ought to conlider himfelf 
curst even in this world who is doomed to inhabit 
their as a cultivater of the lands only ; however I 
cannot Suppose the ohio cuntry will much affect the 
Settlement of the eastern lands because those people 
who have not a double curfe entailed to them will go 
to New york or Vermont, rather then to the east- 
ward — 

Mafsachusetts Sir is in no danger of being depopu- 
lated for the ohio country, nor even heaven it Self, 
will not invite them in Such multitudes as to lefsen 
her present numbers nor on the other hand will any 
policy prevent the emigration of her inhabitants in 
Such Swarms, as that her numbers Shall not greatly 
increfe while their are vacant lands in any quarter 
to be had — And to what country can the inhabit- 
ants of the Mafsachusetts emigrage So much to her 
advantage as the ohio ? is it not for the intrest of 
New-england that the western country Should in 
their, maners, morrals, relegion, and policy, take the 
eastern States for their modle ? is the Genus educa- 
tion, &c, of any people So favorable to republican 
Goverment as theirs ; and Should they not then by 
throwing in of their Citizens endevor to take the 
lead, and give a tone to the New States forming in 
the western quarter — 

Befides the products of the ohio Country will inter- 
fere much lefs, or rather they will be of more utility 
to Mafsachusetts then to any other of the atlantic 
States, Tobacco, flour, hemp, flax, rice & Indego be- 
ing the chief articles for exportation, nither of which 
are raised in Mafsachusetts in any confiderable quan- 
tety ; but when the navagation of the Mifsisippi Shall 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 247 

become free will all find their way to the Seaports of 
that State and much to the advantage of her citizens 
who Shall be concerned in the Trade — 

I have only to add, that however inaccurate this 
addrefs may appear, yet none will deny but the Sub- 
ject is importent — and I pray god it may have a 
full and candid enquiery by all concerned in the 

councils of the Nation 

I have the honour to be Sir, with 
much efteam your humble 
Servent 

Marietta Jany 6th 1791 1 
Dear Sir 

Our profpects are much changed, in {lead of peace 
and friendlhip with our Indian neighbours a hored 
Savage war Stairs us in the face the Indians in Head 
of being humbled by the Deflruction of the Shawone 
Towns & brought to beg for peace, appear ditermined 
on a general War, in which our Settlements are al- 
ready involved, on the evening of the 2'^ indent they 
fell on a new Settlement about 40 mile up the Mus- 
kingum, Surprized a Blockhouse killed 14 perfons & 
carryed of three others, the perfons killed are John 
& Philip Stacy, Sons of Col° W" Stacy from New 
Salem — Ezra Putnam Son of Major Ezra Putnam 
from Midletown in Mafsachusetts. John Camp from 
the Same place. Jonathan Farewell & one Couch 
& Patten from N Hamfhire Zebulon Troop from 
Barre. W'" James, from Connecticut Jofeph Clark 
from Rhode Island, a man by the name of Meeks 
with his wife & 2 children from Virginia, thefe ware 

1 This letter bears no endorsement ; it was written by General Putnam, 
possibly to the Secretary of War or to the Hon. Fisher Ames. Consist- 
ent replies from them will be found on pages 249 and 250. 



248 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

all killed in & at the Blockhoufe — Frances & Ifaac 
Choate from Leicester and one Shaw who kept at a 
hutt about 50 rod from the Blockhoufe, ware not found 
by the party who went out and it is hoped that they 
are prifoner. what number of Indians ware concerned 
in this mifchief or from what tribes we know not, but 
from thofe Indians who till lately ufed to vifit our 
Settlements every day : withdrawing themfelves in- 
tirly from our Sight ever sence the expidition against 
the Shawones their is little reafon to doubt but the 
Dellewares & Windots as well as othrs have had a 
hand in the bufnefs 

it is impofsable for me to give you a Just Idea of 
the diflrefs into which this event has trown the in- 
habitants efpecially thofe of the out Settlements — 
for my own part I have for Sometime ben of the 
opinon that the Spring would open with a general 
attack on the frontier in which event I did not expect 
we Should efcape unlefs Goverment Should timely 
Send Troops for our protection, which I was in hopes 
would be the cafe, but it Seems the enimy are diter- 
mined to take advantage of our defencelefs Situa- 
tion and to wreak their vengence on the Inhabitants 
before any Succour can be had — I consider this 
event as a foreruner of other attacks of a more Seri- 
ous nature & which may involve us in complet ruen, 
unlefs prevented by Goverment imediately takeing 
meafures for our protection, to their protection I 
conceve we always had an Indupitable claim which 
claim, if pofsable, is increasd by the circumllances 
that has brought us under the refentment of the In- 
dians and at lest in Some meafure produced the 
Mifschief that we are fallen in into, in the first place 
we purchased our lands under an Idea that they had 
ben fairly obtained from the natives, for govermnt 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 249 

told us So by their public acts, this however the 
Indians on our arrivel in the country told us was 
not true, and if the treaties made with them prior to 
our coming are confulted I beleve it will appear the 
Indians are right — and that the lands ware rather 
wrefted then fairly purchased from them at lest the 
Indians confidered it in this light — the Treaty made 
by Govenor S* Clair at Fort Harmer wares a Differ- 
ent face and by it the bufnefs Seems pritty well 
patched up & I had hope that we Should have had 
little or no trouble with them on that ace* not with- 
ftanding that Some of their chiefs discovered that 
they ware not very well Satisfied — & that Several 
Chiefs among the tribes who treated with Govenor 
S* Clair ware not prefent and never confented to 
what was don 

GEN^ KNOX LETTER 

War-department, Jany 27'h 1791 
Sir. 

I have received your letter of the 8'th inllant. I de- 
plore the unhappy fate of the perfons who fell victims to 
lavage barbarity on the 2'nd infttant. — I lincerely hope 
and believe that government will as foon as pofsible 
take effectual meafures to prevent a repetition of In- 
dian depredations by making a powerful inroad into 
their country, and ellablishing flrong polls there. 

Major Sargent will fet out for Muskingum in a day 
or two who will be able to inform you generally of 
the impulfe of the public mind on the fubject of the 
late expedition. 

I am Sir, 
with great refpect, 
Your moll obd* Serv* 

H Knox 
General RUFUS Putnam — 



250 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

LETTER FROM M* AMES 

Philada Febjy 22. 1791 
Dear Sir 

It was impofsible to read your letter giving an ace* 
of the attack of the Savages on the Settlement at Big 
Bottom without feeling a strong Sympathy with you 
under the peculiar distrefses of your Situation. How- 
ever your fears may have interpreted the sense of the 
country tow^^ you, I am happy to perceive that they 
are not indisposed to giving you effectual protection, 
tho it will cost money. That circumstance too often 
throws cold water on the natural emotions of the 
public tow^^ their distrefsed brethren. I am happy to 
learn by Governor Sinclair that the last intelligence 
from Marietta &c left all quiet there Inured as you 
have been to war and danger, I think your late alarms 
must have exposed your fortitude to it's severest 
trials. I wish they may not be repeated. You know 
that my opinion of the proper policy of Congrefs is, 
to manifest a fixed resolution to protect the most re- 
mote parts of the union — to nurse the weak and to 
console the suffering remote settlements with a degree 
of tender solicitude proportioned to their defencelefs 
condition — Congrefs has little occasion to make it- 
self known to them except by acts of protection. The 
most succefsful way to banish the ruinous idea of 
the future independency of the western country is, by 
doing good to the settlers, to gain their hearts. Our 
Sun will set when the Union shall be divided. But 
it is not necefsary to notice the idea any further. The 
Meafures of the present Sefsion of Congrefs, I think, 
will satisfy you that because you are remote you 
are not forgotten & will not be abandoned to the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 251 

Savages. I inclose a Letter to my old fchoolfellow & 
townsman, Mr Battelle, will you please convey it to 
him — 

Please to accept my sincere wishes 
for your health & prosperity — 

I am, dear Sir, with respect &c 
your very hble ferv* 

Fisher Ames 
Major General PUTNAM 

COPT OF A LETTER TO GEN^ KNOX 

Marietta March ye 8th 1791 
Sir 

I am much obliged to you for your letter of the 
2j^^ of January last.^ Soon after the afair at the Big 
Bottom Several Wyndot & Delleware men & women 
at different times came in to trade at this place, we 
treeted them with a little more caution, but in the 
Same frindly way as heretofore none of them, as they 
Said, had Seen the party who did the mifschif, except 
one who Said he met the party going in to Sandusky. 
that they consisted of about thirty ; ware mostly Min- 
gos & had 5 prifoners — a few days after thefe peo- 
ple left us a Soldier was taken within a few rods of 
Fort Harmer but had the good fortune to make his 
efcape the first night and the next day to git into 
Belleprie the following night prehaps the Same In- 
dians Visited a number of Deferted houfes in that 
Settlement and kiled a Sheep & two hogs for Major 
Goodale about ten days ago one man was killed 
& another wounded on the Virginnia Side about 60 
mile down the ohio all the Indians who have ben 
in to trade told us that there was a great many 

1 Page 249. 



252 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Indians going to War and that in a Short time we 
might expect a large body of them to attack this place 
but they would not own that the Wyndots and Delia- 
wares had taken up the Hatchet : however this matter 
is now afsertained — 

on Saturday last John Miller arrived at our post up 
the Muskingum from Sandusky he is an Indian lad 
who came to this place with Gen* Varnum, and a very 
honest fellow, he went into the Indian Country last 
September or October with Doctor Burns or Burrell 
(as he called him felf while here) an Indian who has 
it Seems recived an Education in England or Scot- 
land, the Substance of Millers account is this, that 
he found Burns to be a great Rogue that he had ben 
ufeing every means in his power to excite the Indins 
about Sandusky and the Tawa River to war and was 
now gon westward for the Same purpus that a num- 
ber of Small partys were gon out already that a grate 
many Warriours from different tribes ware collected 
at Sandusky, that the Wyndots & Dellewars were 
going [?] for war and gave out that as Soon as the 
Water fell and Grass grew for their horfes they would 
go against the yankeys with two or three thousand 
men. that in ordor to Save his life and facilitate his 
efcape he Joyned a War party of fourteen (formerly 
our perticuler acquaintanc) bound to the Muskingum 
Settlements that three days before he came in to our 
post being verry lame he was left to take care of their 
hevy lugage, that finding the way Clear he made a 
raft and came down the Muskingum — by this fortu- 
nate efcape & information of honest John I think all 
uncertainty with refpect the intentions of the Wyn- 
dots & Delia wares as well as the General views of the 
Savages is removed — our Inhabitants are nearly all 
Forted in which State we expect to remain till we are 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 253 

dislodged by the Enimy — wich god forbid Should 
be the cafe or releved by the Troops of goverment 
which I pray god may be as Soon as pofiable 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN'' KNOX 

Marietta March 14th 1791 
Sir 

My last letter was of the 8*^ inllent ^ on the morn- 
ing of the 11*^ the Indians fired on two lads neer L* 
Grays post (20 mile up the Muskingum) one of which 
is badly Wounded. 25 of the Enemy appeared in 
view & in an infulting maner invited the people to 
come out and fight them — they killed 1 1 Cattle and 
drove off as many more — the Same morning two 
men ware fired on neer the post at Belleprie but they 
made their efcape unhurt — yesterday evening as 
Capt Rogers & M"^ Henderson (two perfons employed 
as Spyes for this Town) ware returning from a Tour 
in the woods about one mile from Campus Martins 
they ware fired on by two Indians — Rogers was 
killed and a Ball went through Hendersons Shirt and 
graized his groin, two other Indians fired on him as 
he run of and in his way in he met with four others 
but he happily made his efcape from them all — we 
are takeing every meafure in our power for a Viger- 
ous defence but I fear our Cattle will be all killed or 
Driven off for we are too week to detach parties to 
oppofe them out of our works efpecially as we can 
never afsertain their numbers ; have all the Reafon 
in the world to fear a Decoy and ambufcade and the 
lofs of a Small party from any of our posts would ex- 
pofe the place to almost certain dellruction. you will 
redily percive that our Situation with refpect to carry- 
ing on our farming bulinefs is little better then if we 

1 Page 251. 



254 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

ware clofely Befeaged nor can it be better till the gov- 
erment Shall releve us, which we flatter our Selves 
will be Soon, by Detachments pulhed forard for our 
Imediate protection till Such times as the general op- 
peration of your army Shall take place 

PS If in the eflablifhment for the army Chaplins 
are intended I beg leve to recommend M"^ Daniel 
Story, now relident with us, as a worthy Carractor, 
and very defirous to make the Campaign 

LETTER FROM THE SEC^ OF WAR 

War Department March 24, 1791 
Sir 

I have jull received your efteemed favor of the 8^ 
inilant.^ 

The information contained in your letter flrongly 
indicates the hoflile difpofition of the wellern Indians, 
and the intrigues of bad men may make the war 
general. 

The recent murder of fome friendly Indians at the 
block houfe on Beaver Creek, is a circumllance which 
merits rigid enquiry. Such actions tend to involve 
all things into confufion and leaves nothing to be ex- 
pected but a general Indian War — Major General 
S* Clair who is charged with the cheif command upon 
the frontiers fat out from this City yeflerday for Fort 
Pitt. But the roads being bad may prevent his arri- 
val before this poll — 

He will inform you of the extenfive arrangements 
directed for the operations of the Campaign, and it 

1 Page 251. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 255 

is devoutly to be hoped they will be effectual and 
produce the delired effect peace 
I am Sir 

with fentiments of 
great refpect your 
moft Obedient 
Servant 

H Knox. 
RuFUS Putnam 

one of the Judges of the territory of the U S 
North West of the Ohio — 

[from the secretary of war] 

War Department, 

7th April 1 791 
Sir, 

Your letter of the 14*^ of last month ^ has been just 
received. — The accounts you give of the apprehen- 
fions and dangers of the fettlements, in the vicinity 
of Marietta, is justly alarming. — 

If anything can be added to the efficacy of my 
letter of the 10^^ instant, authorizing Major Sargent 
to call forth as many of the militia for the defence 
of the fettlements, as the occafion might require ; — 
Major General S* Clair, who must be on the frontiers, 
has ample powers for the purpose — 

The Levies and regular troops are raising but I do 
not believe many of them will be on the frontiers, 
until the beginning of the next month — any rein- 

1 Page 253. 



256 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

forcements which you may require, must be derived 
from the Militia 

I am, Sir, 

With great Respect, 
Your Obed* Serv* 

H. Knox 
Secy of War 
Judge RuFUS Putnam. 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN'' KNOX 

Marietta August 22^ 1791 
Dear Sir 

I embrace the prefent oppertunity to thank you for 
your letters of the 24^^ of March & 7th of April laft : ^ 
& I alfo thank God that notwithflanding we have 
had no afsistance but from our own people till the 
midle of July, and the Indians in Small parties con- 
tinually harrafsing of us, yet Sence the death of 
Cap* Rogers we have lost but one man killed & one 
taken prilbner — we have lost a number of horfes 
and upwards of fifty head of Cattle, on our part we 
have killed one Indian whofe body we recovered and 
have reafon to beleve Some others were Killed or 
Wounded — we have collected most of our Englifh 
grain without lofs & have a prospect of a Sufficient 
Crop of Corn for the Support of the inhabitants the 

coming year 

I have the Honour to 
be with every 

pofiable Sentiment 
of efteem. Sir 
your humW Sev* 

RuFus Putnam 



Gen^ Knox 



1 Pages 254, 255. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 257 



FROM SECRETARY OF WAR 
ANOUNCING MY APPOINTM'' OF BRIGADIER 

War Department 
May 5. 1792. 

Sir . 

I have the honor to inform you that the President 
of the United States by and with the advice and con- 
sent of the Senate — has appointed you a Brigadier 
General. 

You will please immediately to signify your accep- 
tance or nonacceptance of this appointment. 

In order that you may judge of the pay rations 
and emoluments for the commifsioned and non-com- 
mifsioned Officers and privates in the fervice of the 
United States, I enclose you the act of Congrefs rela- 
tive to the military establishment 

I have th.e honor to be 
Sir 
Your most obedient fervant 

H Knox 
Sec^ of War 

Brig Gen^ RUFUS PUTNAM 

INSTRUCTIONS TO BRIGADIER GENERAL RUFUS PUTNAM j / 

Sir, 

As you have at the request of the President of the 
United Sta_tes, agreed to attempt to be present at the 
General Council of the hostile Indians about to be 
held on the Miami River of Lake Erie, in order to 
convince the said Indians of the humane dispositions 
of the United States, and thereby to make a truce or 
peace with them — it is proper, that you should re- 
ceive all due information, and instructions, relatively 
to your mifsion — 



258 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

You have herewith delivered to you, 
First. A Copy of the treaty of Fort Stanwix made on 
the twenty second day of October 1784. 
Secondly. A Copy of the treaty of Fort M*=Intosh 
made the 21. January 1785. 

Thirdly. A Copy of the treaty with the Shawnefe, 
made at the Miami, in January 1 786 — 
Fourthly. And of the treaties with the Six Nations, 
and with the Wyandots &c. concluded at Fort Har- 
mar on the 9**^ of January 1 789 — 

These last mentioned treaties confirm nearly the 
bounds of the treaties made at Fort Stanwix in 1 784, 
and Fort Mcintosh in 1785. 

And that there should be no mistake as to the 
boundaries claimed by the United States, by virtue of 
the said several treaties, you have herewith delivered 
to you a map, whereon the boundaries are clearly 
marked — You will observe, that there are several 
reservations to the United States, marked within the 
Indian lands — Information has been received, that 
the Indians consider those reservations with great 
uneasinefs — If upon your bringing this subject to 
view at the Council, it should appear to be the case 
you may exprefs your opinion, that upon an ultimate 
adjustment of differences, the said reservations may 
be relinquished by the United States, excepting for 
those parts about the Fort at Detroit, which will be 
necefsary for the Garrison. 

The Chiefs of the five Nations of Indians, who 
were so long in this City, lately, were astonished at 
the moderation of our claim of land ; it being very 
different from what they have been taught by design- 
ing people to believe — 

It would seem that the Indians have been misled 
with respect to our claims, by a certain map pub- 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 259 

lished in Connecticut, whereon are laid out ten new 
Hates, agreeably to a report of a Committee of Con- 
grefs. 

The United States are desirous in any treaty which 
shall be formed in future, to avoid all causes of War 
relatively to Boundaries, by fixing the same in such 
a manner as not to be mistaken by the meanest 
capacity — As the basis therefore of your negocia- 
tion, you will, in the strongest and most explicit termSy 
renounce on the part of the United States, all claims 
to any Indian land which shall not have been ceded 
by fair treaties, made with the Indian Nations. 

That we conceive the treaty of Fort Harmar to 
have been formed by the tribes having a just right 
to make the same, and that it was done with their 
full understanding, and free consent. 

That if however the said tribes should judge the 
compenfation to have been inadequate to the object, 
or that any other tribes have a just claim, in both 
cases they shall receive a liberal allowance on their 
finally settling all disputes upon the subject. 

That with respect to the lands ceded or retained 
by the treaty with the Shawanefe of the Miami of the 
Ohio, doubts are entertained of any rights pofsefsed 
by the said Shawanefe, excepting those of sufferance 
by the tribes who justly claim the same — But, if the 
rights to the Shawanefe should be conceded by the 
other neighbouring, tribes who should think proper 
to confirm the boundaries marked for the said Shaw- 
anefe, the United States will abide thereby. 

As the United States have never made any treaties 
with the Wabash Indians, although the said Indians 
have been repeatedly invited thereto, their Claims to 
the lands East and South of the said Wabash, have 
not been defined. 



26o OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

This circumstance will be a subject of your inquiry 
with the afsembled Indian tribes, and you may afsure 
the parties concerned that an equitable boundary 
shall be arranged with them. 

You will make it clearly understood that we want 
not a foot of their land, and that it is theirs, and theirs 
only — That they have the right to sell, and the 
right to refuse to sell, and that the United States will 
guarantee to them their said just rights 

That all we require of the Indians is a peaceable 
demeanor, that they neither plunder the frontiers of 
their horses, or murder the Inhabitants. That the 
United States are bound to protect the Inhabitants, at 
the risque of every inconvenience of Men and Money. 

You will represent to them, that a new ftate of 
things has taken place in the United States — that 
formerly we were an afsociation of several separate 
states, like their several separate tribes, and that 
there was no portion of Union and Strength sufficient 
to regulate the several parts, as belonging to the 
same machine 

But, that now we have a general goverment em- 
bracing all parts of the Union, as it respects foreign 
Nations and Indian tribes. 

That General Washington is placed at the head 
of this Government, and that he or some person im- 
mediately authorized by him, must make all treaties 
with the Indian tribes. 

That therefore, in future, all the Indian Nations 
may rest with great confidence upon the justice, the 
humanity, and the liberality, of the United States. 

That it is not only the sincere desire of the United 
States to be at peace with all the neighbouring Indian 
tribes, but to protect them in their just rights against 
lawlefs, violent, white people : if such should commit 
any injury on the persons or properties of a peaceable 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 261 

Indian, they will be regarded equally as the Enemies 
of the General Government, as the Indians, and will 
be punished accordingly. 

Let the Indians at the said Council know fully, That 
the United States are friends with the Creeks to whom 
we give fifteen hundred dollars annually — With the 
Cherokees (excepting a few Outcasts who have been 
leagued with the Shawanese) to whom we also give 
fifteen hundred dollars annually — That we have 
treaties of peace with the Choctaws and Chickasaws 
— to whom we shall probably afsign an annual allow- 
ance as they have proved themselves our friends — 

That we also have lately allowed the five Nations, 
to wit, the Senekas, Cayugas, Oneidas including the 
Stockbridge tribe — Onondagas, and Tuscororas, the 
Sum of Fifteen hundred dollars annually. 

That the United States are highly desirous of im- 
parting to all the Indians tribes, the blefsings of civ- 
ilization, as the only mean of perpetuating them on 
the earth. 

That we are willing to be at the expence of teach- 
ing them to read and write, to plough and to sow, in 
order to raise their own bread and meat with cer- 
tainty, as the white people do. 

In short, that the United States willing to believe 
that the conduct of the hostile Indians hitherto, has 
been more the effect of misrepresentation of bad peo- 
ple, than any hardened malignity of the human heart, 
are desirous of forgetting and burying deep forever, 
all the evils which have past, and to administer such 
good things to the said Indians, as will make them 
rejoice for ever, at the annual return of the day on 
which they may conclude a treaty with the United 
States. 

You will inform the hostile Indians, that these sen- 
timents are not the offspring of the defeat of the 



262 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

fourth of November last, but that they arise from 
the purest desire to avoid the further effusion of 
blood. 

That our dispositions for peace are not the conse- 
quence of any apprehensions of the ifsue of the War 
may be made apparent to the Indians by a compari- 
son of the strength and resources of the United States 
and the Indians. 

That we entertained these dispositions for peace 
early in the last year and attempted to send various 
mefsengers accordingly but who were prevented by 
unforeseen circumstances. 

The Senekas who Colonel Procter persuaded to 
accompany him to the Miami Village will be a good 
Witnefs to the truth of this as will be Captain Hendrick 
the Chief of the Stockbridge Indians who also made 
considerable progrefs in his journey but was stopped 
at the Grand River North of Lake Erie 

Two persons were engaged in January last to re- 
pair to the Miami Village, and actually proceeded as 
far as Niagara where they were stopped their busi- 
nefs not being known. 

February the tenth General Wilkinson was directed 
as you will particularly observe by the extract of my 
letter herewith delivered to intimate by himself and 
Major Hamtramck our desire for peace.^ 

Doctor Brown was chosen to repair to the Miami 
Village for this purpose, and it is probable that he is 
on his mifsion accordingly 

1 Lieutenant-Colonel James Wilkinson, commandant at Fort Washing- 
ton (Cincinnati), and Major John Hamtramck, commandant at Fort Knox 
(Vincennes), were ordered to send Indian and French messengers to the 
hostile Indians to impress upon them that the desire of the United States 
was not for their lands, but for peace. The Indians were urged to send 
representatives to a council at Fort Washington as proof of their friendly 
disposition, and were threatened with force if they should fail to comply. 
Similar messages were sent by way of the Lakes. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 263 

Major Hamtramck in his letter of the 31. March a 
copy of which you have delivered you, Hates that be- 
sides making peace with the Wea and Eel River In- 
dians he has dispatched Agents to most of the hoftile 
Indians West of the Wabash and Omie Rivers ^ 

You have also herewith delivered you copies of 
the inllructions to Major Trueman and the speech 
with which he was charged to the hollile Indians 
dated the 3*^ of April.^ Every thing which can be 
effected by an ardent zeal may be expected from the 
Majors Mifsion, and you will please to confide in and 
employ him in your businefs agreeably to my letter 
to him herewith delivered to you — The Chiefs of 
the five nations, who were lately in this City, have 
agreed to repair to the General Council about being 
held — they departed this City apparently well im- 
prefsed with the justice and humanity of the United 
States and stipulated to use their highest exertions 
to effect a peace — 

Colonel Louis of the Cagnawagnas also came here 
to inform the Government that the seven castles so 
called in Canada had been invited to the Council to 
be held at the Miami River of Lake Erie — He be- 
ing also convinced of the justice of the United States 
promised to use his influence towards a peace. 

Captain Hendrick Aupaumut chief of the Stock- 

1 In March, before receiving his instructions to send out peace messen- 
gers, Major Hamtramck had formally agreed with the Eel River and 
Wea Chiefs that as they desired peace, a treaty should be held at Vin- 
cennes ; that their lands should be confirmed to them by the United 
States ; and that on their part they should cease all depredations, and share 
their knowledge of any hostile designs of other Indians against the United 
States. 

2 In April, Captain Alexander Trueman was sent via Pittsburgh and 
Fort Washington to carry a speech from the President to the Miami Vil- 
lage, at the head of the Omie (Maumee) River. In this speech the In- 
dians were urged to cease hostilities, and to send some of their principal 
chiefs to a peace conference at Philadelphia. 



264 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

bridge Indians and his Brother have also gone spe- 
cially charged to prepare the way for your reception 
and to meet you at Fort Jefferson ; ^ his instructions 
you have also delivered to you. 

The recital of these several measures are made, in 
order to show you that the businefs is in a consider- 
able degree matured. 

I have written to M"" John Heckewelder of Beth- 
lehem to accompany you, which he has promised 
to do ; but he cannot set out from Bethlehem until 
the 25^'' instant, but he will probably overtake you 
at Pittsburg or Marietta. This person superintended 
one of the Moravian Towns in the Muskingum, and 
has a general acquaintance with and influence over 
the Wyandots and Delawares. 

Much good may be expected from the agreement 
made by Major Hamtramck with the Wabash In- 
dians — It is hoped that it will be an happy intro- 
duction to a general peace — their influence and 
agency may be expected with the other Indians and 
you may obtain from them escorts and mefsengers 
to the hostile Indians 

You have herewith delivered to you an invoice of 
Indian Goods at Fort Washington and an order for 
the same. These goods or part thereof may be pre- 
sented to the Wabash Indians who have agreed with 
Major Hamtramck provided it should be the joint 
judgment of Brig"" Gen^ Wilkinfon and yourself but 
under such restrictions as to preclude all abuses. 

Besides these goods you have delivered to you, 
twenty setts of silver ornaments for such of the prin- 
cipal chiefs as shall come to a pacific agreement, and 
also nose and ear jewels. 

Besides the above a further provision of Goods 

1 Fort Jefferson was about sixty-seven miles north of Fort Washington, 
on St. Clair's route to the Miami village. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 265 

will be made immediately and forwarded to Fort 
Pitt to a considerable amount the disposition of 
which will be hereafter directed. 

Your first great object upon meeting the Indians 
will be to convince them that the United States re- 
quire none of their lands. 

The Second. That we shall guarantee all that re- 
mains and take the Indians under our protection 

Thirdly. They must agree to a truce and immedi- 
ately call in all their War parties — it will be in vain 
to be negociating with them while they shall be mur- 
dering the frontier citizens. 

Having happily effected a truce founded on the 
above afsurances, it will be then your primary en- 
deavour to obtain from each of the hostile and neigh- 
bouring tribes, two of the most respectable Chiefs to 
repair to the seat of the Government and there con- 
clude a treaty with the President of the United States 
in which all causes of difference should be buried 
forever 

You will give the chiefs every afsurance of personal 
protection while on their journey to Philadelphia, and 
should they insist upon it Hostages of Officers for 
the safe return of the chiefs, and in case of their com- 
pliance you will take every precaution by the troops 
for their protection of the said chiefs which the na- 
ture of the case may require 

But if after having used your utmost exertions the 
chiefs should decline the journey to Philadelphia, 
then you will agree with them on a place for a gen- 
eral treaty. 

In considering upon this place — perhaps Pitts- 
burgh or its vicinity would be as proper a place as 
could be decided upon — Provifions could be pro- 
cured in abundance and it would be the point to 
which the goods could be easily transported 



266 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

In this event it will be necefsary that I should be 
informed by the earliest opportunity in order that 
the principles of, and arrangements for the treaty 
should be fixed 

It will also be of the highest importance that you 
keep General Wayne constantly informed of your 
progrefs and prospects as his movements will be 
governed by your information — 

As it may be necefsary for you to conciliate some 
chiefs by money and also to obtain runners, you have 
delivered you a warrant on the treasurer for one 
thousand dollars for which you will be held account- 
able. 

Of all your disbursements either of money or goods, 
you will keep fair accounts supported by vouchers in 
all pofsible cases, or of witnefses as evidences of the 
delivery of Goods. 

As this will be considered as an extra service from 
your military employment, your expences will be 
paid by the publick, and if you succeed in effecting 
a peace you are hereby promised in behalf of the 
United States an handfome pecuniary reward. 

In case any accident should happen to you while 
employed on this mifsion you may rest afsured the 
Government will make a suitable provision for your 
family. 

It has been conceived, that were you to repair to 
Fort Washington and thence to Fort Jefferson that 
you would more readily than from any other point 
find a communication with the hostile Indians — upon 
your nearer approach you will form your own judg- 
ment and take your own measures — Having given 
you a view of the objects and the train in which 
things are, the rest must be left entirely to your 
discretion — 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 267 

But I cannot close these instructions witliout urg- 
ing" to you the highest pofsible exertions in bringing 
the War to a clofe and of devifing every proper mean 
for that purpose — An Indian war is destructive to 
the interests of humanity and an event from which 
neither dignity or profit can be reaped. It has been 
imposed on the Government by strong causes which 
it could not controul or prevent and the sooner it is 
terminated the better — You may be afsured that 
all the stipulation of rewards you make shall be fully 
complied with and they ought to be liberal — 

On your arrival at Fort Washington, all the 
Women & Children belonging to those tribes with 
whom Major Hamtramck has made peace are to be 
well clad and released from their captivity — The 
women to have some of the silver ornaments pre- 
sented to them. 

Enclosed you have a letter to Brigadier General 
Wilkinson on the subject of the release of the above 
described prisoners. 

These instructions are given by the authority of 
the President of the United States and are to be re- 
garded accordingly. 

Given at the War Office of the United States 
this twenty fecond day of May 1 792 — 

H Knox 
Sec^ of War 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GENERAL KNOX 

Pittsburgh June 5'^ 1792 
Sir 

I arrived at this place the 2^ indent in the morn- 
ing, and in the afternoon Capt Jefifers arrived from a 
Scout, whofe report I herewith enclofe — Takeing 
into consideration the circumftances relative to the 



268 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

two Munsey Indians, brought in by Capt Jeffers, 
perticulerly that they had never ben confined, nor 
disarmed, and that the principle Warriours of the 
Sennakas, who was with M*" Jeffers on this Servis, 
ware very defierous they Should be Set at liberty, I 
concived it best to comply with their wifhes ; And 
befides I thought it might promote the bufmes I am 
on to Send a Speech by them to the hostile nations, 
and accordingly I made the propofition to them : 
they deliered to confult two of the principle Senakas 
who had ben out with M"^ Jeffers — thefe warriours 
returned for anfwer that they might cary my Speech 
to Capt Snake or Some other principle man among 
the Munfies, who would no doubt Send it to the 
more hostile tribes but that thefe men haveing ben 
present when the two Dellawares ware Killed it 
would not be Safe for them to carry it to the other 
tribes — on the whole althoe this conveyance ap- 
peared rather doubtfull, yet confidering the uncer- 
tainty of Major Trumans Succefs, and alfo that of 
Capt Hendricks, and that northing might be left 
undon that had a tendency to induce the hostile In- 
dians to give me a hearing I have framed a Speech 
for the purpos (a Copy of which is herewith enclofed ^) 
and I expect thefe Indians will Set out tomorrow on 
their Journey. 

Mr Heckenwelder arrived here the third inftent, 
and I expect to leve this the day after tomorrow — 

I hear there has ben a plan on foot among the 
Militia of Wafhington and Some other Countys to 
make an attack on the Sanduskey Towns. I beleve 
their is no great danger of their puting the Scheme 
in execution, however I would Suggest the propriety 
of rellraining all ofenfive opperations on our,part, for 

^ Page 269. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 269 

the prefent. the propriety of this meafure appears 
to me So Just that did I not expect General Wain to 
arrive at this place Soon or that Such ordors would 
Soon Issue from the War [Department] to the Mili- 
tia in this quarter, I should have wrote to the Lieu- 
tenants of the Countys on the Subject ; for while 
Some Mefengers and Negotiators are gon, and others 
going into the Indian Country ; Should any Stroke 
be made on their towns it is more then probable 
that goverment would be wholly frustrated in their 
purpofes of accommodation, and every perfon within 
the power of the enemy would fall a Sacrefise — 
I have the honour to be 

Sir your most obedient 
humble Servant 

R Putnam 
Gen. Knox Secretary 
at War — 

COPY OF SPEECH TO THE INDIANS 

Speech of Brigadier General Rufus Putnam, Com- 
mifioner Appointed by the Great Chief General 
Wafhington & his Council, viz the Congrefs of the 
United States — 

To all the Sachems and Warriours of the tribes 
inhabiting the Miami or Tawa River, and the 
waters of the Wabafh River : the Wyandots, Del- 
lawares Chippawas, Ottawas, Pattiwatamas, Sha- 
wones, Tweetwees and all other Indian Nations 
refideing Southward of the Lakes, East of the 
MilTisippi and Northward of the River Ohio — 

Brothers 

The Great Councill of the United States haveing 
Taken into confideration the prefent Troubles fub- 



270 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

sisting between them and their Brothers of different 
Indian Tribes, have reafon to beleve, in Some mea- 
fure, that thefe Troubles have arifen from Mifsunder- 
llanding between the parties concerned, and being 
delierous to remove every Just ground of Complaint 
The Great Chief, General Walhington more then 
two Moons past Sent a Speech to you by Capt Tru- 
man on the Subject of peace — And Capt Hendrick, 
a Cheif of the Stockbridge Tribe has alfo ben dis- 
patched to inform you of the frindly Disposition of 
the prefident and all the Great Councill of the United 

States toward all Indian Tribes 

Brothers 

Thefe and other meafures of the like nature have 
ben taken preparitory to my arrivel on our Frontier 
Settlements, who am appointed by Gen^ Walhington 
in behalf of the Great Council, to enquire into all 
your Grievances and to treat with you on the puerest 
principle of Justice and humanity — 
Brothers 

I have weighty matters to communicate to you and 
do not doubt but when we Shall meet togather and 
have heard one another, your hearts will rejoice 
and we Shall unite in Frindfhip and love 

a String of 3 Branches 

Brothers 

All the Roads between you and us have ben Shut 
for Some time past. I now request you to open the 
path that leads to Fort Jefferson (the neerest of our 
Forts to the Miami Towns) That you and I may be 
able to meet one another and enter on this Great 
work. I expect to be their my Self in about twenty 
days and request that you will Send Some of your 
men with Capt Hendrick to conduct me with a few 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 271 

f rinds to the place you Shall fix on for our meeting — 
your Mefsengers may approch Fort Jefferson without 
fear, as meafures are already taken to prevent any 
injury being don to them. 

a String of 2 Branches 
Brothers 

You have heard what I have to Say at prefent. 
fill your pipes with this (Tobacco) when you deliber- 
ate on this my Speech, and above all let the Great 
and good Spirit above guide you in your Coun- 
cils and you will find that you will be blefsed with 
peace and hapinefs — 

a roll of Tobacco 
Pittsburgh, June 5* 

1792 RUFUS Putnam B G &c &c 

Commifsioner for 
Treating with the 
Indian Nations in 
behalf of the United 
Stats 

LETTER TO GEN'' WAYNE 

Marietta June 23d 1792 
Dear General 

I herewith enclofe you a Statement of the dispofi- 
tion of the Troops Stationed at Marietta Belleprie 
and Waterford with a Short defcription of the Local 
Situation of the Several Stations reletive to each other 
— I beg leve further to remark, that thefe Settlement 
being more then one hundred miles from any other 
Settlemets that can afford them releaf, are exceed- 
ingly expofed to the Depredations of the Enimy, and 
as I concive they have a Claim, So I have no doubt 
they will have your attention — 



272 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the Station at Waterford is more exposed then any 
of the others : I concive it a proper place to be oc- 
cupied by a confiderable force, for befids preventing 
the deflruction of between twenty & thirty familis, if 
a Company or two of Rifle men ware Stationed there, 
to Scout up the Muskingum River and toward the 
Hockhocliing they would be a very great protection 
to the Inhabitants of, Ohio and Wafhington Countys 
as well as to the inhabitant in this quartr on Both 
Sids of the ohio River — 

I leve this place the 25*^^ for Fort Wafliington 
I have the Honor Sir 

COPY OF LETTER TO GEN^ WILKENSON 

Fort Washington July 3d 1792 
Sir 

I prefume the Secretary at War has informed you 
that my prefent bufmefs in this Quarter, is to indevor 
to bring about a Treaty with the hostile Tribes of In- 
dians. In ordor fir, that I may act underllandingly 
and the p [1] ans of Goverment appear Uniform it is 
necefsary that I Should know what meafures has ben 
taken by you relative the premifes, more efpecially 
Sence your receipt of Gen^ Knoxs letter of the 11*^ of 
February last I therefore request to be informed the 
Speeches you have Sent to the Indians, the informa- 
tion you have recived from or concerning them, and 
ordors given to the officer commanding at Fort Jef- 
ferfon & other out post relative to the approch of 
Flags or Mefsengers — 

In my inllructions from the Secretary at War is 
the following — viz " you have herewith Delivered to 
" you an invoice of Indian Goods at Fort Wafhington, 
" and an ordor for the Same These goods or part 
" thereof may be prefented to the Wabafh Indians 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 273 

" who have agreed with Major Hamtramok provided 
"it Should be the Joint Judgment Brigadier Gen^ 
" Wilkenfon and your felf, but under fuch reilrictions 
"as to preclude all abufes" (again) "on your arri- 
" vel at Fort Wafliington all the Women and Chil- 
" dren belonging to thofe tribes with whome Major 
"Hamtramok has made peace are to be well clad 
"and releafed from their Captivity — the women to 
"have Some of the Silver ornaments prefented to 
" them. 

to this Extract from Inftruct of the Secretary at 
War I wilh we may attend as Soon as pofiable ; For 
every other matter relative to the profecution of the 
object I am Sent on I fhall with pleafure recive your 
opinion and advice, and Should we be So unfortunate 
as not to effect a peace, yet I have no doubt but fuch 
evidence will be given of our United effort to accom- 
plifh the willies of goverment on this head as will 
afford a pleafmg reflection in our own minds and 
convince the Nation of the Necefsity of profecuting 
the War with vigour 

copy OF LETTER TO GEN^- KNOX ^ 

Fort Washington July 5th 1792 
Sir 

My last letter was from Marietta June 23^. I was 
not able to leve that place untill the 26*^ I halted one 
day at Galipolis and arrived here on the 2^ Inllent 
at 8, oClock in the morning ; Soon after my arrivel 
Gen^ Wilkinson returned from a Tour to Fort Jeffer- 
son with the Disagreable News that on the 25*^ ult 
about 100 Indians made an attack [on] a party of 
men Cuting hay neer Fort Jefferson that 16 of our 
people ware Killed and Mifmg, that four Dead bodies 
only had ben found on whome was marks [of] the 



274 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

greatest emity & cruelty practised, a War Club alio 
with a very extreordinary Spike in the head of it 
that the Indians had three horses with them, one 
man was drefsed in a Scarlet Suite and the whole 
(or at lest a great part) appeared in white Shirts — 
Gen' Wilkinson further informs me that on his arrivel 
at the post he Sent out parties to trace the Enimys 
back track or way they came as well as the rout they 
went off, and that they both came from and returned 
toward the lower part, or rapids, of the Tawa River ^ — 
on the third inflent arrived M' Vego ^ & two other 
Gentlemen from fort Knox who inform that on the 
20*^ ult Some Weya Cheifs Sent by Majr Hamtra- 
mack to Eel river returned with News that four men 
going from Some of our Forts with a Flag had ben 
Fired on by a party of Indians three of the men ware 
killed, the man with the Flag and papers was taken, 
that after keeping him one day they killed him alfo. 
that the Indians took the papers to Some white man 
who could read and that they contained a long 
and good Talk from a Great Cheif which when the 
Indians underllood they ware Sorry for what they 
had don. — if this ace* be true their is little reafon 
to doubt but Col° Hardy and Major Truman have 
fallen a Sacrefise and that Soon after they left Fort 
Wafhington as it was intended that they Should not 
Travel far together — and their is alfo Some cir- 
cumftances in the late affair neer Fort Jefferson which 
if attended to I think renders the arrivel of Capt 
Hendrick at that post for the purpose expected very 
doubtfull. the number of Indians in that party, indi- 
cates that they had in view an object of confiderable 
confequence. their drefs was uncommon and Shews 

1 The Maumee River. 

2 Francis Vigo, a prominent citizen of Vincennes. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 275 

they had ben very lately & very generally furnifhed 
with new Shirts by the Britifli Superintendent, indeed 
their war parties I beleve Seldom ware any Shirts 
while Neer or Seeking their enemy — the Hay- 
makers could not be their oreginal object for that 
bufmefs had commenced but 5 days before and there- 
fore could not be known to them when they Set out 
on the Expidition provided they came from the 
mouth of the Tawa River as is apprehended another 
circumftance is that they made the attack on the 
mowers the very day (or at most but one day after 
the time) I had appointed to be at Fort Jefferson, as 
notified to the Indians in my Speech Sent them from 
Pittsburgh dated the 5^^ of June and which I have no 
doubt reached the Grand Councill on the Tawa River 
Sufficiently early to have a war party march from 
thence to Fort Jefferson before the time the attack 
was made, from all thefe circumllances I concive 
their [is] great reason to beleve that my felf was the 
oreginal object of that expidition, and if So and that 
it was undertaken by General confent of the afsem- 
bled Chiefs, I think there is little reafon to expect or 
beleve they are at prefent inclined to treat of peace, 
but prehaps thefe conjecturs are all wrong or that if 
I was the object, yet the party came out through the 
influenc of the Superintendent or Some Britifh em- 
mifary with out the confent, and prehaps without the 
knowledge, of the Chiefs in general if this Should 
be the cafe Hendreck may Soon arrive with tiding 
more agreable, then prefent circumftancs Seeme to 
warrant reafonable expectation of — 

With Mr Vego came Weya men whofe relations 
are prifonrs here, and alfo an Indian by the name of 
Billa who went out on the expidition with Gen^ S* 
Clair was in the action was wounded & taken prif- 



276 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

oner by the Enimy and Soon after made his efcape 
— an Interpreter is Sent for to Kentucke when he 
arrives I Shall be able to Speek with thefe people 
and not before, from Major Hamtramck letter and 
the information of M"" Vego and others, the real in- 
tentions of the Weya & Eel River Indian appear 
to me very Doubtfull. to get back their prifonrs in 
the opinion of the Gentlemen from Vincennes is the 
principle object with them ; but whatever their in- 
tentions may be I think meafures Should be taken to 
compleat a treety with them agreably to the Stipula- 
tions made with them by Major Hamtramack. for 
however Defirablean object it may be to bring them 
to Philadelphia, I beleve it altogather impraticable. 
I am informed that they object Strongly against the 
proposition made to them by Major Hamtramak of 
coming to Fort Walhington. they Say it is too far 
and they ware promised a treaty at Fort Knox — 

It is my opinion that a perfon be authorized to 
hold a Treaty with them at Fort Knox & Compleat 
the bufnefs as far as pofiable agreably to the articls 
Stipulate [d] with Hamtramack that Some goods 
be given them as an Evidence of the ability and 
disposition of Goverment to Serve them that the 
Boundarie of their lands be defined but no propofi- 
tion of purchafe be made at prefent that Goverment 
haveing by her Justice and a few acts of liberalety 
(which will cost little) gained their confidence their 
Chiefs may afterward be willing (& probably defier- 
ous) to make a Journey to the Seat of Goverment, 
that they will offer their lands for Sale before the 
united States will have any ocation for them — that 
begining in this way with the Tribs neerest to Ven- 
cenneefs their is no doubt but others will Soon follow 
their example and if by this meens the tribes west 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 277 

of the Wabalh can be detached from the more hos- 
tile Nations a point of very confiderable confequence 
will be gained (the perfon to be appointed on this 
Mission Should be one well disposed toward the In- 
dians & against whome they entertain no perticuler 
prejudice & it would be better Still if one can be 
found with whom they are acquaint & for whom 
they have a perticulr Kindnefs) 

But to return among the more Hostile tribes I do 
not yet dispair of Succefs for althoe I have no doubt 
but many of the Shawones and others at prefent Shut 
their ears against and reject every Idea of peace, 
that they have murdered Major Truman and prehaps 
every other white man that has ben Sent with Mel- 
sages of Peace, and that it was a party of thefe fel- 
lows (countenanced and encouraged by prefents from 
Some British agent) that came to Fort Jefferson with 
a view to take me ofi yet I much doubt if thefe 
meafures are Countenanced by the Chiefs in general. 
I rather beleve they are the work of a few who by 
Such means expect to distract the Councils of the 
more moderate and prevent a Treaties takeing place 
while a great Majorety are wifhing for Such an event 
— the Same ace* that gives us reafon to beleve that 
Truman & other Mefsengrs are murdered, informs 
us that the Prefidents Speech was preferved. Inter- 
preted & confidered a good one and that they ware 
Sorry for what they had don. if the Defigne of the 
party who came to Fort Jefferson was to murder me 
that circumflance alfo proves that my Speech had 
reached the Tawa River (and that it has reached the 
Grand Council I have not the least dout, for I con- 
lider the mode of conveyance as certain & Sure) add 
to this the influence of Hendrick with the Deputys 
from the Six nations C — [?] Le — [?] and ye Seven 



1/ 



278 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Castles in Cannada (when they arrive) will have, and 
I think their is confiderable reafon to hope the Na- 
tions in general will yet confent to treat of peace — 



letter from b g wilkinson 

Fort Washington 
July s'h 1792 
Sir 

Altho the free & full verbal communications, which 
succeeded your addrefs to me of the 3'^^ Inst.^ 
which you did me the honor to put into my hand, 
supercede the necefsity of a written reply, yet it may 
be a matter of propriety to our respective stations, 
that I should thus acknowledge the Receipt of that 
Letter, & at the same time afsure you, that you will 
find in me, not only a ready but a zealous coopera- 
tion, in whatever may tend to the prosecution of the 
Objects, of the very important mifsion confided to 
you by the supreme executive, and in every other 
instance which may Interest the public good. — 

Nothwithstanding, the very systematic outrage, 
recently commited in the vicinity of Fort Jefferson, 
and a variety of concuring circumstances, bespeak 
the sanguinary disposition of the Enemy, & their in- 
veterate animosity, yet my anxiety to carry into com- 
plete effect, the Views & prescriptions of the President, 
induced me on leaving Fort Jefferson the 29*^ Ult™"^, 
to instruct Major Smith the Commandant, agreably 
to the following extract " Notwithstanding the re- " 
"cent outrage of the Enemy, you are to persevere " 
" in the plan of defensive measures, and are to re- " 
" ceive & to treat with due respect any flag which " 
" may present ; tho improbable, it is pofsible the late " 
" hostility may have been perpetrated by some Party " 

1 Page 272. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 279 

"not apprized of the Pacific overtures now pend- " 
"ing" — 

Availing myself of the permifsion, which you have 
given me, to oflfer you my opinion & advice, I will 
take the Liberty to suggest ; that, as the original ar- 
rangements which I had taken on the subject will not 
only secure proper treatment to any Flag which may 
present to our out Posts, but that the communication 
of such circumstance will be announced here from the 
most distant in thirty Six Hours after it may occur ; 
I think your Personal attendance, at Fort Jeflferson, 
previous to the arrival of any deputation from the 
Enemy, cannot be Interesting to the Public, & will 
expose you, pent up as you must be in a crowded 
Garrison, to great incommodation — You moreover 
Sir know perfectly well how to estimate, after what 
has happened, the probability of such an arrival at 
that Post — 

In carrying my views forward to the probable re- 
sult of the pacific overtures now pending, I must con- 
fefs to you, I am induced to believe, that Ft. Vincennes 
under existing circumstances presents, as the most 
elegible point for negotiation, and opens to us a pros- 
pect of advantages, which may, in my humble Judg- 
ment, if seasonably attended to, be pushed to great 
extent & with great Effect ; on this Subject, I shall 
at all times be ready to enlarge, and I cannot close 
this Letter without testifying to you, the Heart-felt- 
pleasure, I derive from the coincidance of Sentiment 
manifested in the conferences we have held — Believe 
me with all due respect for your superior age & ex- 
perience, and with unfeigned Personal regard, 
Your Obedient, ready 

& very H^^« Servant 

JA : Wilkinson 
Brig' General PUTNAM 



28o OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 



\ / COPY OF LETTER TO GENERAL KNOX 

Fort Washington July 8th — 1792 
Sir 

My letter to you of the fifth inflent ^ I gave into the 
hand of M*" Vego at this place who is gon down to 
the Rapids with an intent to proceed imediately for 
Philadelphia by the way of Lexington where I expect 
this letter will be put into his hands — 

The more I reflect on the Subject, the more I am 
convinced, that it will be best to proceed with the 
Indians on the Wabash &c &c in the maner I have 
hinted in my letter above refered to and as far as 
pofiable detach them from the councils & Influenc of 
the other Indians but I think it will not be necefsary 
and prehaps not proper to Stipulate an annual allow- 
ance of goods to the Wabafh Indians untill a purchas 
of lands be made which I concive ought not to be 
proposed to them untill the contest with the Shawone 
and other hostile nations is ditermined — for this is 
the argument made ufe of by our Enimies (and the 
only one that would prevail on the Cheppaws & many 
other tribes to Joyn in the War) and which is contin- 
ually urged on the Western Indians to Joyne in the 
confederafie : viz the Americans are after your lands 
they mean to take them from you and to drive you 
out of the country : I am informed from good au- 
thorety that when the Dellawars Wyandot and Sha- 
wones first invited the Chippawas & other tribs to 
Joyne them in the War, they anfwered "for why 
" Should we go to war we have no quarel with the 
" Americans when our Farther (meaning the King of 
" Great Brittain) was at war and called on us to Joyne 
" him against a Set of rebelious Children we did So. 

1 Page 273. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 281 

" but our Father had now made peace with his Chil- 
" dren and their is now no reafon why we Should go 
" to war against them, it will be enough for them 
" [us] to go to war against the Americans when our 
" father calls on us again — but you Said the Chip- 
" pawas are always quareling with your neighbors 

To this the Dellawars & Wyandots replyed that 
** the thirteen fires ware endevoring to take their lands 
" from them, that they challenged the whole country 
" as their own, that they (the thirteen fires) had 
" marked out to them a Small tract for hunting 
" ground on which they could not live, well Sais the 
" Chippawas, what is that to us they have not med- 
'* died with our lands and why Should we fight for 
" your land you must fight your Selves for them and 
''defend your Country their is reafon you Should, 
" but we Shall get northing by it if we joyn in the 
" war. its better therefore that we mind our own buli- 
" nefs and live in peace — 

To this the Dellawars &c could find no anfwer un- 
till a British emmefary whispered in their ear " Tell 
" them that when the Americans have conquored you 
" & got pofession of your country ; they will then 
" take theirs alfo for that is their intention and they 
" will never rest untill they have got the whol." " ah, 
" Replyed the others, is that the cafe then we will fight 
" too and imediately again took the Tomhawk from 
the Dellawars Wyandots & Shawones who first moved 
in the bufmes — I have ben the more perticuler in 
relateing this anecdote (which is a fact that may be 
relied on) becaufe it clearly Shows the reafon why So 
many Nations are drawn into the War against us that 
it must be Somthing more then mear Britifh influence, 
may be clearly argued from their being a greater 
number engaged in the prefent contest then the Brit- 



282 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

ish Govermt with all their arts ware able to perfuaid 
to take up the hatchet in the western quarter during 
the late war, & what can be their motive but the fear 
of loofeing their lands, or in other words that the 
Americans intend to take their lands from them when 
ever they Shall think proper without their confent, 
agreably to the Doctrine of the Treaties at Fort Mac- 
intolh and the Big Mami [Miami] it is therefore in 
my opinion [?] indispensably nefsry to convince the 
Western Indians as Soon as pojiable that thefe Sug- 
gestions are falfe and Sence they will not agree to 
com to Philadelphia, or even Fort Wafhington the [y] 
Should be treated with at Vincennes as Soon as poll- 
able 

in confidence that a Commifion will Soon arrive 
impowering Major Hamtramack [or] Some other 
perfon to hold a Treety at Vincenes agreably to the 
Stipulations he has made with thofe Indians a part 
of the Indian Goods here will be forwarded with the 
prifoners to Vincennes 

yesterday a Canoe going up the Ohio to Columbia 
at two mile distenc from this place ware attacked, 
one man killed one wounded a Boy taken prifoner — 
a woman made efcape unhurt 

this is another discourageing circumflance with 
refpect to my hereing from Hendrick in the way ex- 
pected, and with Some a concluiive evidence that the 
grand council is brook up with a diterminat [ion] of 
Continuing the War, but I doubt this for their has 
ben Scarcely time Sence the Chiefs of the Six Nations 
left Philadelphia for them first to report to the coun- 
cil that was to meet at Buffaloe and then for the De- 
puties to come forard to Tawa River, and I do not 
beleve that under all circumllances the grand Council 
at the Tawa would defide on the bufmefs and brake 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 283 

up before the Deputies from the Seven Caflles and 
the Six Nations had had an oppertunity to Speak their 
Sentiments — I am ditermined to Send another 
Speech to the BeHgerent tribes if I can perfuade any 
of the Wabalh Indian here to carry it — I have Sev- 
eral reafons for makeing this attempt. First if Some 
Bad men have ftiurdered our Mefsenge [rs] who ware 
carrying the prelidents Speech — althoe the Speech 
may be carried to the Council, they may confider it 
as not properly coming before them, and the Chiefs 
may be in doubt whether we will now receve a Mef- 
sage from them or not the arrivel of a new Speech I 
think will remove this doubt althoe I mention nor- 
thing of the rumour I have heard belides by a Mefsage 
of this Sort I expect to afsertain the fact whether our 
Mefsengers are murdered or not and alfo to reduce 
the matter to a Certainty whether they will let me 
Speak with them or not. I propose to remain here for 
the prefent as it is uncertain whether any Flag will 
arrive from the enimy or at what post they may come 
in, and Should Hendrick arrive at Fort Jefferson as 

proposed, I Shall have notice in 36 hours 

But Suppofe that after all rational means is ufed 
to accommodate this bufmefs by treety we fail in the 
attempt and that a continuance of the war is inevi- 
table, pardon me Sir if unasked I offer Some Senti- 
ments on the Subject. M*" Hutchens and others have 
Said a great deal about the good Navigation of the 
Alleghena River & French Creek, the Big Bever, the 
Cayahoga, & Muskingum, the Hockhocking, Sioto, 
& Sanduskey, the Wabafli & Tawa or Miami of the 
lake, and it is true that they are all very fine Rivers 
and at certain Sealbns many of them afford plenty of 
water to float Craft of very confiderable burden for a 
great Distance, but the fact is that not one of them 



284 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

will Serve any Valuable purpus for transporting by- 
water the Bagage Stores & provifion of an army for 
any conliderable distance, toward any object where 
govermt can pofsiably mean to point their force in 
any offencive opperation. even the Ohio at Some 
Seafons is defecult if not quite impafsable at Some 
parts, therefore all confiderable movements of an 
army between the Ohio and lake Erie Should be cal- 
culated to be by land — (you will permit me to Speak 
freely I know you will not be ofended, becaufe my 
intention is good and I write with the utmost deffer- 
ence) to ellablilh a Capital post at the Miami Village 
with a proper Number of intermediate Stations fuffi- 
cient to Secure a communication from Fort Walhing- 
ton to that place is undoubtedly an object to be per- 
feveared in, and I think if the bufinef is conducted in 
a prudent maner may be effected with two thoufand 
men without any hazard of conliderable lofs. but 
to Stop here will by no means induce the Indians to 
treat, it will be rather provokeing then distrefsing 
to them, nor will the Territory [?] recive any confid- 
erable protection thereby. My opinion is not to ad- 
vance any farther in this quarter at prefent, but to 
make arrangement for carr [y] ing a line of Stations 
from the mouth of the big bever on the Ohio by 
way of the Salt Spring to the mouth of Cuyahoga on 
lake Erie where I would build a Strong Post which a 
garifon of 200 men would be able to defend against 
all the Indians in the world, here I would build 
Such Water Craft as Should be thought necfsry to 
transport the army I intended to make ufe of this 
way into the mouth of the Tawa River as far as the 
rapid 14 mile up or to Such place as Should be 
found most convenant for Eflablifhing a post their 
(for I will paun my reputation upon it, if from the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 285 

overturs now makeing the Indians are not brought 
to a treaty they never will untill you eflablish a post 
in the mouth of the Tawa river and prevent the 
British agent with his Emifaris and Indians Coun- 
celing their togather, or in the Indian language put 
out their Council Fire in that place) this is the place 
where every year the British agent distributes the 
annual prefents to all the Nations far and neer inhab- 
iting the Country South of Lake Erie and Westward 
beyond the Miami villags while the army are Build- 
ing the fort at Cuyahoga and preparing their Water 
Craft the weflern army Should proceed with cau- 
tion & erecting Stations advance toward the Miamy 
Villags and Eftablilh them Selvs there the Indians 
Seeing two armys advan[cin]g in different direc- 
tions will probably be deflratd in their Councils, 
they would probably confider the Country of Wyan- 
dots Dellawars and Shawnes as lost their allies will 
most if not all withdraw themfelves and the others 
Sue for peace or quit their Country or if that Should 
not be the cafe as they would never know when your 
army would move nor where that from Cuyahoga 
would Strike could never be able to prevent them 
from landing and by works Securing them Selvs 
against ten times their number, nor, Should they 
Still be obflinate, could they prevent the two armies 
from ellablifhing a line of communication [?] from 
the mouth of the Tawa River to the post at the 
Miami villages — the Security that Such an arang- 
[me] nt would give to all the Country which would 
be theirby encircled as well as to the Six Nations 
and the Inhabitants in the Vicinity of the Alligany 
river is too obvious to need Ilustration — it has ben 
the opinion of Some that a post Should be Ellab- 
lilhed on Lake Erie at Prisquele [Presque Isle] but 



286 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

I am by no means of that opinion. Becaufe the dis- 
tance is much greater from Pittsburgh (or from any 
place on the Allegena to which water Carriage [?] 
is always certain) to Prifqueal then from the mouth 
of Big Bever to Cuyahoga and the Country much 
worfe for makeing a roade. Indeed from Big Bever 
to Cuyahoga the country is very level and except 
for about Seven or Eight mile very dry and good 
for a road while the other is very hilly a greater 
part of the way and for 15 mile very wet — Befides 
the Distance is neerly Double from Prisquele to the 
Tawa as from ye Cuyahoga & if a post is made at 
Prisquele their must be a nother at Cuyahoge, for 
Such is the Nature of the Navagation of Lake Erie 
efpecially for Some Distance west from the mouth of 
Cuyehoga that Boats or vefsels must always put in 
at Cuyahoga in their pafsage westward ; and wait a 
favorable time of wind and wether to pafs the Rockey 
Shore which extends Some miles west of this River 
(which is defcribed by this mark X, on Hutchens 
Map) after pafs[ing] thefe rocks the Shore is good 
and harbours numerous and Safe, on the west bank 
of Cuyahoga is a rifeing ground from whence the 
Country about is Commanded as well as the entrence 
into the River, which is Deep & navigable for Vef- 
sels of confiderable Burthen Seven or Eight mile up 
— the rout from the mouth of Bever Creek I expect 
will be on the well Sid untill we are two or prehaps 
three mile above Kifhkuske where is a ford and 
water Shallow and here I expect would be the first 
Station. 25 mile from thence the rout will be part on 
the North Side of the Creek & part of the way on the 
S pafsing neer Salt Lick & Mohoning villags to crofs 
the Cayahoga about 10 miles from its mouth, the 
number of intermediate posts will Depend on the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 287 

Distance it Shall be though [t] proper to place them 
from each other alowing about 20 mile to be a pro- 
per distance then four only will be required viz one 
at crofsing the Bevor above Kifhkuske one where 
we crofs the Cuyahoga and two between. I beleve 
this to be the nearest and best rout by which a com- 
munication can be opened between the ohio River 
and lake Erie without having reguard to water navi- 
gation, which whoever depends on will find them 
Selves decived ; — althoe I doubt not but at Some 
Seasons considerable advantage may be derived 
from water carage on Most of the Rivers mentioned, 
and I beleve the Big Bever and Cayahoga may 
Some times be made a good ufe of for that purpos — 
The facts I have mentioned in this Statement I 
beleve may be relied on I have them from a Gentle- 
man of Judgment and undoubted Verafety who has 
had full oppertunty to examin the country not only 
on the rout from big Bever to Cayahoga but has alfo 
traveled by many diffrnt roads from the Big Bever 
to Sandusky and Detroit and is fully acquainted 
with all the Streams that make a part of the Muskin- 
gum River as well as the Southern Shore of Lake 
Erie and all the Streams that fall into it between 
Cayahoga & Detroit — in Some part of this rout the 
country is open in other parts are thickets of Brufh 
to Cut out but the principle defeculty is a Swamp & 
Wet ground for Seven or Eight mile the greatest 
part of which must be caufwayed, but I am told that 
timber is handy & plenty and if So one man will 
eafily make one rod in a day and alowing 640 men 
can be well employed they will make this part of the 
road in 4 days however if it Should happen to be a 
dry fall its doubtfull if one fouth part of the distance 
mentioned will require Bridging in the first move- 



288 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

ment of the army I would be underflood that when 
I Speek of makeing a good road I mean a Waggon 
road, there is now a Pack horse path the whole dis- 
tance which has ben much ufed by Indian War par- 
ties — by this rout all Kind of provisions except, Beef 
from Kentuckey can be Transported cheaper to the 
Miami Village then through any other Chanel and 
from there conveyed down the Wabafh or toward 
Lake Michagan and Into the upper part of the Illinoi 
Country to Supply any garrisons which govermt 
may think proper to eflablifh in that quarter for the 
protection of the Frindly Tribes and Security of 
Traders that may be Sent among them to this may 
be aded the Supply of the post at Detroit whenever 
we Shall be in pofsestion of it 

If the propofition Should meet with approbation 
meafures for carrying it into Execution cannot be 
too Soon adopted, for althoe the Seafon will be too 
far advanced before the event of the prefent over- 
tures now makeing to the Enimy is known to admit 
of any offencive opperations of confequence in this 
quarter, yet I concive it will not be the cafe with 
refpect to the plan I have proposed. 

I can See no objection aganst makeing an Eflab- 
lifhment at the Big-Beaver (where we have long had 
a post) even while our negotiations are depending. 
Under this Idea then I would propofe that the Troops 
as they arrive at pittsburgh Should be Sent down 
to that place that the works their be repaird and 
extended in a proper maner and Maggazeans of pro- 
vifions Forrage &c &c &c Collected, for the expi- 
dition. this cannot probably be compleated untill 
October before that time I trust it will be know[n] 
whether we Shall have a Treety with thefe fellows 
or not : if they agree on a treaty it is probable they 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 289 

will be as willing to hold it Somewhere on the Bever 
Creek, or at the mouth of Cuyahoga as at any other 
place, and in that cafe they can have no objection 
to a road being made for Transporting the goods to 
Cayahoga. at all events whenever we make peace 
with them whatever we relinquifli in other refpects, 
we must infist on Ellabliftiing our Selvs at Cayahoga, 
for the purpos of Supplying them with goods, to be 
delivered their or farther westward So that the work 
proposed at the Big-Beaver will not be lost provided 
we come to a treaty, and if we are to have no treaty 
we Shall be ready to execute the plan by force and 
in that cafe if [we] are ready to move by the 15 of 
September or even the first of October I think we 
may Saifly venture on the Expidition. for allowing 
16 days to erect the four Stations 4 days to make 
the caufway and that we cut our road and March 5 
mile a day we Ihall reach Cayahoga in 40 days but 
I have no doubt but we Ihall be able to reach Caya- 
hoga in half that time about the time intended for 
the army leveing the post at Big bever the Enimy 
may be menased from this quarter, and as they will 
not be alarmed at Seeing you posted at Big Beaver 
the army would probably reach Cuyahoga before 
they could pofsiably be in a Situation to oppose them 
and at the Same [Time] a Body of Volunteer Militia 
might be Sent out from Buffaloe on Croffords rout 
toward Sanduskey. 

the Meafure I beleve will be very populer with 
Ohio County and all the Western part of Pennfyl- 
vania which will greatly facilitate the Bufmefs. For- 
rage for any number of Horfes may be brought to 
this place with little expence and if the body of Fed- 
eral Troops which may be raised by the time and 
Spaired for the purpos Should be thought infuffi- 



290 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

cient I have no doubt but an ample Supply of good 
rifle men would voluntarily engage in the expidition, 
a Sufficient number of whome live within three days 
march of the Spot — 

on the whole I have no Doubt but we may with- 
out any unreafonable hazord eflablifh our Selvs at 
Cayahoga by the Seting in of winter and that by 
the first of May if not before, a Sufficient number of 
boats may be built for Transporting the army into 
the Tawa River But Should the fall prove unfavora- 
ble and we could advance only part of the way yet 
I think the object ought to be purfud, as we should 
by that means be able to commence the operations 
of next year much earlier belides that I think this is 
the beft mode of carrying on the war. the Sooner we 
Show our Selves on the bank of Lake Erie the better. 
Such an apperance will be a conviction to the In- 
dians that many things which British immafaris have 
tole them is falfe and being convinced that Some 
things are not true they may be led to Disbeleve the 
reft — 

COPY OF LETTER TO GENERAL KNOX 

Fort Washington July 9th 1792 
Sir 

Whether the plan of makeing an Eftablifhment at 
the Cayahoga as proposed in my letter of yesterday ^ 
be adopted or not, I beg leve to Suggest the pro- 
priety of fixing a post Some where on the Muskin- 
gum River to be occupyed by about one Company 
of Musket men & two Companys Riffelmen. they 
Should be employed in Scouting up the Muskingum 
and to wards the Hockhocking. they would be a 
great protection to Ohio County and Wafhington in 
Pennfylviania, as well as the Settlements on the Mus- 
kingum and the inhabitants on both Sides of the Ohio 

1 Page 280. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 291 

as far down as Bellevill, from whence their is no Set- 
tlement untill we come to the Great Kenhawa. untill 
offencive opperation are ditermined on thefe Troops 
Should be posted at the Waterford Station twenty- 
three mile by water up the Muskingum and about 
14 by land — 

afterward they Should be Sent farther up the river 
if practicable to Supply them with provifion they 
Should [be] fixed at the mouth of Licking and the 
defeculty of Supply here is the refque only for loaded 
boats may go ther at almost any Seafon — 

thefe troops on the advance of the Militia toward 
Sandusky Should Joyne them on the March and after 
alarmi [n] g Sandusky in [if] necessary may fall away 
N Eastward and Joyn the army 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN^ WAYNE 

Fort Washington July loth 1792 
Dear General 

I am Inflructed by the Secretary at War " to keep 
" you conflantly Informed of my progrefs and pros- 
" pects relative to the treaty which I am Indevoring 
" to bring about. I prefume that you are fully ac- 
quainted that Capt Hendrick of the Stockbridge 
tribe left Philadelphia in the month of May with a 
defigne to repair to the grand Council of Indians 
Supposed to be then Setting or about to convean 
on the Oma, or Tawa River, and from thence was 
to come to Fort Jefferson to conduct me to the In- 
dian Council provided they Should agree to the 
meafure. — I wrote you from Marietta the 23"^ ult.^ 
I left that place the 26**^ and arrived here the 2^^ In- 
llent, where I learned that on the 25*'' ult a party of 
neer 100 Indians attacked a party of hay makers neer 
Fort Jefferson When the[y] killed & took 16, foure 

1 Page 271. 



i^ 



292 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

dead Bodies only were afterward found on the 7*^ 
Inflent one man was killed one wounded and a lad 
takin prifoner about three mile from this pice as they 
were afcending the Ohio, thefe events are by no 
means flattering to my hopes, and befides we have 
a report from the Wabafh brought in from ouiata- 
non the Miami or oma Indians had killed 4 men 
going from one of our Forts with a Flag which if 
true, it is Supposed must be Major Truman and Col" 
Harden however this report wants confermation. and 
Some Wabafh Indians tell us the War Club left by 
the party who did the Mifchef at Fort Jefferson be- 
longs to the Charokees, a Baditte of out Cafls that 
live on the oma River but not admited into the Na- 
tional Councils ; but are fit Inftrumnts for Britifh 
Emmeferis to make ufe of if posiable to prevent a 
treaty — I propofe to remain here for the prefent 
and Shall write you by every oppertunity and Should 
the wifhed for Capt Hendrick arrive I will by exprefs 
give you notice as Soon as pofiable 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN^ KNOX 

Fort Washington July nth 17^2 
/ Sir 

\J Sence my arrive! her on the 2^ Inflent, I have for- 

warded three letter to [you] , via-Kentucke dated the 
^th gth ^ gth Inflent ^ in which I informed you that on 
the 25*^ ulti'" about one hundred Indians attacked a 
party of Haymakers neer Fort Jefferson that four dead 
bodies had be [en] found and 1 2 ware mifsing — that 
Some of the Wabalh Indians had reported to Major 
Hamtramick, that four men going from one of our 
Forts with a Flag and a Speech to the Indians had 
ben killed &c &c which if true it was apprehended 
it muft be Major Truman & Col° Harden — 

1 Pages 273, 280, 290. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 293 

That by Major Hamtramicks letters to Gen^ Wil- 
knson and information recived from M"" Vego and 
Some other Gentlemen from Vincennes the Intention 
of the Wabafh Indians appeared Doubtfull. that they 
objected Strongly against coming to Fort Wafhing- 
ton to treat and that it was my opinion they could 
not be prevailed with to come to Philadelphia at pre- 
fent. that it was my decided opinion they ought to 
be treated with at Vincennes agreably to the Stipu- 
lation made with them by Major Hamtramick and in 
this way it was probable they might be detached from 
the more hostile tribs — that in Confident expectation 
a Commifion would Soon arrive to inable Major 
Hamtramick or Some other perfon to treet with thefe 
peopel in the fulleft maner a part of the Goods now 
here would be forwarded to Vincennes for the pur- 
pos — 

Sence writeing my last letter Genl Wilkenfon and 
Col° Sargent, have recived letters from Vincennes and 
the County of S* Clair, which further confirms me in 
the opinion that if the Indians on the Wabafh and 
Illanoi Rivers are properly attended to they may be 
prevented Joyning or detached from the hostile tribs 
and prehaps if necefsary be brought to Joyn the arms 
of the United States — 

In my letter of the Eighth inllent I ventured to 
propose a plan of opening a communication from the 
mouth of the Big Beaver on the Ohio to the mouth 
of Cayahoga on Lake Erie. I may be thought very 
officious but you will pardon me Sir I am, not only 
as a Servent of the public but as a Citizen of this 
Country, deeply Intrested in bringing this war to a 
Speedy Ifsue, and I am cleerly of opinion that we 
can have no lafling peace with the Indians untill the 
United States eflablifh them Selves on Lake Erie and 



294 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

in the Oma or Tawa River, and that was this once 
don the war with them would be at an end whether 
the garifon at Detroit ware given up or not. that you 
would have very little or no further ocation for troops 
on the ohio River or the intermediate Stations be- 
tween Fort Wafhington and the Mami [Miami] Vil- 
lage that goverment giving unequivocal evidence 
to the Indians that they would never lay claim to any 
of their lands but on the foot of fair purchafe they 
would have no objection to your EUablifhing posts on 
the Oma or Tawa River & in the Wabafh and Illinoi 
Countrys for their protection and the protection of 
your trade with them. — 

It may be objected that by Divideing our Force 
Succefs can not be enfured in either quarter this must 
depend on many circumflances. I would refque my 
reputation on eflablifhing my Self at the Cayahoga 
with the force of one Sub Legion I anfwer if Succefs 
cannot be enfured, Defeat may be prevented by a pro- 
per attention an army of one thoufand Musket men 
may in four hours put them felvs in a Situation that 
an equel number of Indians could not dislodge them, 
and if proper care was taken by haveing good wood- 
men and runers imployed, a body of one hundred 
Indians could not approach an army on their march 
without discovery in time Sufficient to be prepaired 
for them — 

But prehaps Such a meafure will be alarmig to the 
Post at Detroit, may bring on a British war and by 
their Water Craft on Lake Erie they will prevent 
your pafsage from Cayahoge to the Tawa & Cut off 
all Supplys of provifions Sent that way. If this be the 
Cafe it is better the Nation knew it for if the Britifh 
mean to oppose our protecting our Selves against the 
Savages the bufmess had better be given up. if the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 295 

British really mean to Support the Indians in this war 
the united States ought to meet them on lake Erie 
and oppose force to force, or give up the Idea of pof- 
sefsing our Selves of the Miami Village, for as I ob- 
ferved in my former letter " to Stop here will rather 
" provoke then distrefs the Enimy nor will the fron- 
" tiers recive any conliderable protection their by. 
Indeed ware your polls (at the distance they now 
are from Fort Wafhington to Fort Jefferson) extended 
to the Miami Village and from there to the mouth of 
the oma or Tawa River, the inhabitants on the Fron- 
tiers would recive very little protection their by while 
the Chippawas and other tribes in their Birch Canoes 
are able to coast the West End and South Shore of 
Lake Erie at pleafure and the British water Craft are 
continually made ufe of by the Indian parties coming 
Down the lake for War — 

Befides if you depend on Supplying the posts at the 
Miami Village and thofe you Shall Ellablifh on the 
oma or Tawa River with provifions from Fort Wafh- 
ington you may probably be disappointed, it has ben 
and allways will be in the power of the Indians to cut 
off your Convois pafsing that way. had Govenor S* 
Clair taken quiet pofsestion of the Miami Village last 
fall, if the Indians had don their duty he must have 
Starved in one month and was your army their now 
it is in the power of 500 Indians to Starve them in a 
short time — 

LETTER TO GEN^ KNOX 

Fort Washington July 14111 1792 
Sir 

Capt Armllrong the Commanding officer at Fort 
Hamilton in his letter to Gen^ Wilkinson of yesterday 
writes thus " one man of the is* Reg* taken prifoner 



296 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

" on the ig^^ of October 1791 when under my Com- 
" mand and one on the 4*^^ of November after our 
" late defeat, have reached this post they made their 
" efcape from an Indian Village on the St Jofeph 50 
" miles above the Miami, pafsed that place and early 
" the next day reached Jefferson they came through 
" the place where our army was defeated & can no 
" doubt give you much information. Three different 
" Flaggs from us have ben recived at the Glaze River 
** — when the Mefengers were Tomhawked and 
" thrown into the water, the last was a great Captain 
(I Suppose poor Truman) 

from this ace* it Seemes northing but War is to be 
expected from the Indians collected at the Grand 
Council on the Oma, or Tawa, River, that our only 
prospect of effecting any thing by way of treaty is 
with the more Western Tribes, my opinion with re- 
fpect to them I have exprefsed in my letters of the 
5*h 8^^ & II inllenti — 

the Interpreter who (I informed you in my letter of 
the s^^) was Sent for to Kentucke arrived last even- 
ing, he is a young man of a refpectable family by the 
name of Wells, he tells me he was taken prifoner at 
the age of about thirteen and has ben with the Eel 
River Indians between Eight and nine year he was 
adopted in the Tribe and in the family of one of the 
Chiefs was at perfect liberty to go were he pleafed 
and meeting with his Brother at Fort Knox about the 
jythQf June last he came home with him he appears 
to be a young man of good natural abilities and of an 
agreable disposition ; I propose to employ him as an 
interpreter and have encouraged him to hope that if 
he is found capable and faithfuU he will be continued 
in that bufinefs — M"" Wells thinks that the Weya and 

1 Pages 273, 280, 292. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 297 

Eel River Indians are disposed for peace that they 
Say that is their wifh, but they are great Hers and he 
cannot anfwer for their intention, that the great Chiefs 
of the Eel River Tribe when he came away was gon 
to See the Shawones and Dellawares and know what 
their intentions was concerning the war 

M' Wells gives me reafon to hope that Some more 
of the Wabafh Chiefs will arrive here in two or three 
weeks, and if they Should prehaps it may give an 
opening for a Treaty and through their influence a 
greet number of Indians in the Western quarter, 
may be drawn togather at Vincennes, agreably to 
the plan I have before recomended in which cafe a 
quantety of provision will be necefsry to be furnifhed 
at that place for the purpos which circumflance can- 
not be too early attended to 

the prifoner who have made their efcape from the 
Indians and are now at Fort Hammilton will be here 
in a few days, after the examination of whome I 
hope a more certain opinion of the Indian Bufmefs 
in the North may be formed then at prefent 

SPEECH OF THE INDIANS — 

July ipth 1792 

The following is the Substance of a Speech De- 
livered this day by one of the Weya men, as inter- 
preted by M"^ Wells 



Companion or confident friend, I call you fo be- 
caufe brothers may Sometimes differ but companions 
never do. 

I am no Cheif ; nor do I know well how to Speek. 
this man (pointing to one Setting by) is a Cheif but 
not a great Cheif nor can he Speek ; the man who 



298 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

is dead was a Cheif, but not the Greatest Cheif, and 
Could Speek well 

I fear thefe women and Children will all die if they 
remain here much longer. I pray you will take us 
all, along to the O post as Soon as pofsiable. I fear 
very few of our Cheifs if any will come to this place ; 
but a great many Cheifs will meet you, there, who 
can Speek well. I pray therefore that you will go 
along with us to the O post as Soon as pofsiable 

a String of Wampum 

ANSWER TO INDIAN SPEECH — 

July 2otii 1 792 
Brother I 

You call me confident friend, which Name is very 
exprefsive. (good) But I wish us to retain the Name 
of Brother, since we were born on one Island, and 
are of one Family, 'tis true, Brothers may sometimes 
differ, yet they soon unite again — • 
Brother. 

I feel Sorry for the lofs of Your Chief? who was a 
great Man & a good Speaker, & who was to transact 
the Buifinefs between You & me. You spoke to me 
Yesterday with Tears in Your Eyes ; yet I under- 
stood You. I cant say all to You this time what I 
wish to say, but when our mourning shall have 
ceased a little I shall be able to speak cheerfully. — 
Brother 

I wish to make You happy in every respect. Your 
Woemen & Chilldren are under my care & Protec- 
tion, & I am making the necefsary arrangements for 
our Journey to the O Post, where I hope & expect 
to see all Your Chieffs & great Men. There to con- 
sult on, & make a lasting Peace between the Indian 
Tribes inhabiting the Wabash Country & the People 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 299 

of the United States (or the 13 great Fires) In 30, 
Days I shall be ready to set out with You 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN'' WILKINSON 

Fort Washington July 21st 1792 
Sir 

So much time haveing elapsed Sence Some of the 
Mefsengers Sent to the Indians on the Oma, or Tawa 
River ought to have returned, had they ben recived 
in a frindly maner ; or that Capt Hendrick Should 
have arrived at Fort Jefferfon had he Succeeded in 
his mifsion, togather with the information of the 
murder of the people of three flags Sent from this 
place, renders it morally certain that the great coun- 
cil met on the Tawa river, have rejected the overture 
made to them by the United States in the Several 
Speeches and Mefsages Sent them and that the 
prospect of my Specking with thole Indians through 
the chanel first proposed is at an end — 

And From the information recived from the Wa- 
bafh I concive their is very little refon to expect any 
more of the Chiefs from that Quartr to arrive here, 
or if they Should, they will be of the inferior grades 
and a Treaty with them will be of no confequence. 
while on the other hand it appears highly probable 
that the principle chiefs from nearly all the western 
tribs, with a great number of warriours and others 
may be collected at Vincennes and by a proper 
management may be detached from thofe tribs which 
have oreginated the war and keept in a State of 
peace, which if it can be effected must be of very 
efential Service to the United States, befides it ap- 
pears to me that this is the only remaining chanel 
by which their is any prospect that I Shall be able to 
Speek with the more Hostile tribs. thefe confidera- 



300 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

tions have induced me to form the refolution of go- 
ing to Vincennes as Soon as circumflancs will per- 
mit. I have therefore to request that an Efcort may 
be provided and other arrangements made to enable 
me to leve this with Indian goods, the prifoners & 
other Indian [s] now here in three or four weeks at 
farthest as it is of great importance to meet the 
Indians in council before the hunting Seafon com- 
mences — 

letter from genl wilkinson 

Fort Washington 
July 2xst 1792 
6 o Clock p. M, 
Sir 

I beg pardon for not answering your Letter of this 
date ^ sooner — a variety of Engagements must be 
my apology — 

The deductions which you formd, upon the mani- 
fest spirit & temper of the Savage Bands resident on 
the Tawa or Omee River, appear to me to be well 
grounded, and will, I flatter myself, justify your de- 
termination in favor of a movement to F* Vincennes 
where I am sanguine, your presence & your negotia- 
tions seasonably applied, may be productive of the 
best Effects. — 

I accord with you in the Idea, that the captive 
Indians now at this Post, & their visitants, should 
accompany you, but I am also of opinion, that the 
former should be made instrumental, to a general 
Convention of the Nations in that Quarter, and that 
thofe of the Eel River Tribe should not be released, 
until the Body of that Tribe are brought to an Ami- 
cable Interview. — 

I shall with the utmost alacrity, make every prac- 

1 Page 299. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 301 

ticable exertion for the accommodation of the move- 
ment you propose, & flatter myself I shall be able to 
arrange to your satisfaction ; But to enable me to do 
this, I must beg the favor of you, to furnish me the 
following Estimates. Viz. 

i^* The strength of the Escort you require — 

2ndiy 'pj^g species & quantity of Provisions for the 
Voyage — and 

^rdiy jj^g quantum of Rations which may eventu- 
ally become necefsary to the subsistence of the Sav- 
ages who may be drawn into the conference. — 

I shall be happy to receive thefe last Estimates, 
as soon as may suit your convenience, that I may 
ifsue the necefsary ordors to the Contractors, and 
I have the honor to be, with deference & Esteem, 
Sir 

Your most obed. 

Hble Servt 

JA. Wilkinson 
Brig"^ Gen^ Putnam 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN'^ KNOX 

Fort Washington July 22d 1792 
Sir 

the prifoners I mentioned in my letter of the 14*^^^ 
as haveing efscaped from the Indians and being then 
at Fort Hamilton, have Sence arrived here, and by 
the information they give, I think their is the highest 
reafon to beleve that Freeman — Truman, and Har- 
den ^ are all murdered, and all the people who went 
with them except one whome they confidered as a 

1 Page 295. 

2 Freeman was a messenger to the Indians on the Maumee, sent out in 
April by General Wilkinson. Colonel John Hardin was the companion 
of Major Alexander Trueman, who bore a speech to the hostile Indians 
from the President. These three messengers were killed. 



i/' 



302 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Servent, or perfon of no confequence and for that 
reafon Spaired his life, and if the Squaw told true it 
Seems that Truman must be murdered by ordor of 
the council, & as a confermation of their refolution 
not to make peace and when I add to this the circum- 
flance that I hear northing of Capt-Hendrick I con- 
clude, the Indians met on the Oma, or Tawa river 
have rejected the [ojvertures made them by the 
United States in the Several Speeches Sent them, 
and that the prospect of my specking with them 
through the channel first proposed is at an end. 
from the information recived from the wabafh men- 
tioned in my former letter togather with information 
rec[iv]ed from M'' Wells the Interpreter & the In- 
dians who are now here on a vilit to their families I 
concive their is very little reafon to expect any more 
of the Chiefs from that quarter to arrive here or if 
they Should they will be of inferior Grades and a 
treaty with them will be of no confequence — from 
all these circumflancs I conclude that my tarrying at 
this place much longer can be of no Service what- 
ever except to receve your furthr orders which 

I certainly Should do or return up the river but for 
the following reafons viz It appearing highly prob- 
able, that the principle Chiefs from neerly all the 
western tribes with a great number of warriours and 
others may be collected at Vincennes if the bufmefs 
is Seafonably attended to, with the prospect that by 
a proper management they may be detached from 
thofe tribes, which have oreginated the war and re- 
turn to or be keept in a State of peace, that this is 
the only remaining channel by which there is any 
prospect that I Shall be able to Speek with the more 
hostile tribes, that it is efsen [ti] al to the Succefs of 
the bulinefs that they meet in council before their 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 303 

hunting Seafon comes on ; that if the Day Should 
not be fixed on and the Indians advertized of it with- 
out waiting your further inflruct [ions] So much time 
will probably elapse before an anfwer to my letters on 
this Subject, or any ordors in confequence of them 
can arrive in this quarter as may render the whole 
bufmefs abortive ; — for thefe reafons Sir I have ben 
induced to form the refolution of going to post Vin- 
cent for the purpos of holding a Treaty with the 
western tribes about the 20*^ of September and Shall 
take meafures to have them invited to meet there 
about that time 

haveing communicated my refolution to General 
Wilkinfon and requested that " an efcort might be 
" provided and other arrangements made to profecute 
"the object, he has very politely afsured me that the 
meafure meets his opinion and that he " Shall with 
" the utmost alacrity make every practicable exertion, 
" for the accommodation of the movement," — 

I propofe to leve this with the Indians goods In- 
dian prifon[ers] &c about the 15*^ of August: this 
delay is partly on the Idea of a bair pofsability that 
Capt Hendrick or Some other Mefsenger of peace 
may yet arrive from the North and partly from the 
probability that Some new ordor may arrive from 
the war office, as I find by a Pittsburgh paper that 
you are advertised of the murder of Freeman and 
that Brant has ben to Philadelphia I hope that an 
anfwer to my letters refpecting the bufmefs of the 
Wabafh Indians will arrive before the time proposed 
for the treaty, in which cafe if Major Hamtramack is 
appointed the Commifsioner for the purpos, I Shall 
feal my Self perfectly Satisfied in being excufed, and 
at the Same time Shall cherfully afford him all the 
aid in my power but if I Should be disappointed I 



304 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Shall notwithllanding profecute the bufinefs of mak- 
ing a truce or peace as far as circumfla [nces] and as 
far as my prefent inflructions will warrent me 

Jean Krouch the principle Chief who arrived here 
with M'' Vego on the 3^ inllent died the 16*^ 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN'' WILKINSON 

Fort Washington July 23d 1792 
Sir 

In your letter of the 21^* inllent ^ you request me to 
Furnifh you with the following eftemate viz — 

" i^* The Strength of the Escort I require 

li 2diy The Species and quantety of provisions for 
" the Voyage. 

« ^diy The Quantum of Rations which may eventu- 

" ally become necefsary to the Subsistance of the 

'* Savages which may be drawn in to the conference — 

In compliance with your request I beg leve to 

propofe the following eflemate viz — 

i^* The Escort from this to the mouth of the 
Wabafh to confist of i Capt i Sub 4 Serg*^ 2 Mu- 
feck 66 Rank & file to be joynend at the mouth of 
the River by a party of Troops from post Vincent of 
Sub^ I S* 2 — 30 R & File a party confisting of 30- 
oarsmen with six Perouges Should alfo be procured 
by Maj"^ Hamtramick at the post and Sent of So early 
as to be at the mouth of the Wabafh the 4th of Sep- 
tember — 

My own family will confist of 5 perfons 

The Indian prifoners and visitents will require 58- 
Rations per day 

The Voige from this to the Wabafh may be calcu- 
lated at 20 days and from thence to Post Vincent at 
10 days 

1 Page 300. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 305 

These premifes gives for the Voyage to post Vin- 
cent 4840 rations Say 5000 Ration, for which Salt 
meet must be furnished Say 5000 lb of Bacon allow- 
ing for Extreordinis 

The number of Savages that will attend the pro- 
posed treaty is very uncertain or how long it will be 
necelTary to feed them is alfo uncertain I beleve that 
40000 — Rations will be a moderate calculation for 
this purpos — 

includeing rations for the efcort that goes from this 
to the time of their return (if they are to return) or if 
they do not return — they will increfe the Number of 
Rations to be Ifsued at the post, and rations for the 
guard that may go with the Cattle from the falls 
Should alfo be provided for 

COPY OF A LETTER TO MAJOR HAMTRANCK 

Fort Washington July 24th 1 792 
Sir. 

I am Sent into the Western country by the Prefi- 
dent of the United States, authorized " to make a 
"Truce or peace with the Indians, and charged to 
" make the highest pofiable exertion to bring the war 
" to a clofe, and to Divife every proper means for that 
" purpos. — 

The primary object was for me to go to the Omee 
or Tawa River, where it was expected that the chiefs 
from the Wabafh tribes as well as other nations 
would afsemble, but by the murder of our flags this 
plan is rendered impracticable. I have therefore diter- 
mined to pay you a visit with a veew of Treating with 
Such Indians as can be perfuaided to come to Post 
Vincent, and to distribute Some articles of cloathing 
among them — 

By your letters to General Wilkinson brought by 



3o6 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

M*^ Vego and the gentelman who had the charge of 
his boats, I was fully convinced of the propriety and 
necefsity of treating with the Western Indians at Post 
Vincent agreably to your Stipulations and their wifhes. 
haveing at that time no expectation of being able to 
come that way I wrote to Gen' Knox recommending 
in the Strongest terms that Some perfon Should be 
authorized for the purpos, & I have no doubt but my 
letters will have their proper effect, but Should the 
arrangements for a treaty be put ofT untill an anfwer 
to my letters is recived the Seafon would be So far 
advanced as to render the bufmes abortive, and my 
object in the north being over for the reafons before 
mentioned, I have Ditermined on this vifit to the 
west and am to leve this place the 15*^ of august with 
the Indian prifoners and their frinds, and alfo with 
a quantety of Indian goods and provifions for feed- 
ing the Indians that Shall afsemble on the ocation, 
and depend on a Detachment from you with boats 
and oarsmen to meet me the 4*^ of September at the 
mouth of the Wabafh agreably to the ordor you will 
recive from Gen' Wilkinson 

the time I propofe the Indians Should collect is 
about the 20*^^ or between the midle and last of Sep- 
tember as you will percive by the inclofed Speech to 
them,i which I request you will Send to all the tribes 
of the Wabafh and Illinoi Country, or as many of 
them as time will permit or you in your discretion 
Shall judge best, you will make out as many copys 
of this speech and Send as many mefsengers as you 
may think proper takeing care that the proper Strings 
of Wampum &c be Sent with each Speech — and I 
will be anfwerable for the expence in the maner you 
Shall contract — 

1 Page 307. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 307 

the time of my aproch to the Wabafh ought not to 
be made pubHc, Lest the Savages Should form Some 
plan to attack us in our afsent of the river — 

Jean Krouch the Weya Chief who came here with 
M^ Vego died on the 16*^ inllent — 

P S as the Circumftancs of the Indian on the Wabalh 
are better known to me then any other, I have made 
out and Signed a Speech Directed to them, in the 
other Speech you See the direction is left for you to 
fill, this form of Speech I wifh you to Send to as 
many nations as you think proper puting my name 
thereto 

SPEECH TO THE WABASH INDIANS 

The Speech of Rufus Putnam, Agent of the Great 

Chief General Wafhington — 
To Kaweahatta The great Chief on the Eel River 

And to all the Chiefs and Warriours of the Wyach- 

tenos, and other Indian Tribes living on the waters 

of the Wabafh River 

Brothers 

I am on my way from the great Councill fire of the 
United States, where the great & good Chieff Gen- 
eral Washington resides — I am coming with the 
wishes of his heart to You which are very good, & 
which I hope will make Your hearts rejoice when 
You hear them. 
Brothers 

Out of love to You I am come this long Way — I 
wish you to become a happy People, & believe no- 
thing is wanting to make you fo, but that You & the 
United States might once see & hear one another and 
remove Such obstacles, against which we hitherto 
have stumbled — In order to obtain this end, I have 



3o8 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

appointed the 20*^ Day of September for us to meet 
each other at Post Vincent there to consult each 
other in a friendly & brotherly manner, — to wipe off 
all Tears — to sett our hearts aright — & to establish 
a lasting Peace & friendship, taking one another by 
the hands as true brothers, & loving one another from 
our hearts. 
Brothers, 

You see something very good preparing for You — 
make yourselves ready & come & see what it is — I 
expect to meet you on the Day appointed — Your 
friends & relations I shall bring with me. 

RuFFUS Putnam 

Commifsioner ect — ect — 
Fort Washington 
July 24 1792 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN'' KNOX 

Fort Washington July 26'^ 1792 
Sir 

I herewith enclofe a Duplicate of my letter of the 
22^^ inflent with the copy of Some Speeches ^ which 
is connected with the bufines mentioned in that letter 
the Dispach to Major Hamtramick on the Subject 
went off yesterday by exprefs. I have requested him 
to forward the Speech to the Wabafh Chiefs and 
Simelar ones in wapum to as many other tribes as he 
Shall think proper — 

I have confiderable expectation from this bufinefs 
M"" Wells the Interpreter tells me that the Chief to 
whome my Speech is directed on the Eel River is a 
very Sensible man that the Britifh account him the 
best Speeker among all the Indian nations, that he is 
the Greatest Chief and has more influence then all 
the Chiefs in the Wabafh country, that when he (IVf 

1 Pages 301, 307. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 309 

Wells left Eel River in June lall, this Chief was gon 
to the Council on the Omee — but M'' Wells thinks 
he is disposed to peace and as he has two Sisters who 
are prifoners here and Some other relations M*^ Wells 
has no doubt but on my Mefsage he will come to 
the treaty althoe he declined it last winter on Major 
Hamtramaks invitation — through the influence of 
this man I am yet in Some hopes of being admitted 
to Speak with their high Mightinefes the Shawonoes 
and other hollile Chiefs. 

LETTER FROM COL° SARGENT* 

Cincinnati County of Hamilton August 5th 1 792 
In addition Gentlemen to the Laws which we have 
pafsed at this Time and the Bills under consideration 
I take Leave to suggest an Opinion of the necefsity of 
some effectual measures to guard against the evil 
Practices of foreigners of a certain description in vari- 
ous parts of this Territory — much mischief has been 
complained of from them in the two western Counties 
which perhaps might be sufficiently provided against 
by the vigilance of the civil and military officers of 
Government if ALL STRANGERS were obliged to re- 
port themselves — This is invariably demanded of 
our Citizens crofsing the mifsifsippi or visiting the 
british Establishments and the Governour deemed it 
necefsary to ordain such a regulation in the County 
of S* Clair AND to direct that the Inhabitants should 
entertain no strangers whatever without immediate 
Information thereof to the senior officer present — 
the present Circumstances of the Territory, involved 
in a grievous war with a subtle enterprising Enemy 

1 Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the Territory Northwest of the River 
Ohio. 



3IO OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

whose Emifsaries from our Deficiency of Caution 
may be frequently amongst us, seem to me more than 
ever to demand such police — as well as that a power 
should be somewhere vested for more effectual De- 
fence than is at present provided for by Law. 

Courts martial having been called into view Gen- 
tlemen by the militia Laws and officers in this and 
other Counties subjected to Expences in that service, 
besides the Lofs of their Time, some small provision 
I humbly conceive should be made for this purpose 
and other contingent Charges. 

The Inhabitants of the two western Counties com- 
plain to me of great Injury by Parties of Hunters 
(living under the Spanish Government) infesting those 
Districts and destroying great numbers of Deer and 
Buffaloe whilst they are rigorously debarred of all 
Indulgencies under that Government which perhaps 
Gentlemen may be considered as demanding our at- 
tention. 

A Law to regulate Ferries in the different Counties 
it appears to me proper should be adopted as soon 
as may be — for the want thereof the Governour has 
hitherto been constrained to take this Burden upon 
himself. 

In most wise Governments I believe Gentlemen it 
has been the rule to regulate by Law the admifsion 
of attorneys in the different Courts — and for the 
want of due provision upon this subject I have too 
much reason to think Inconveniences and Injuries 
have accrued. 

An act to prevent nusances it appears to me Gen- 
tlemen is also very much wanting — for they are fast 
multiplying in almost all the Settlements which have 
been under my observation — but this and all the 
other Subjects are submitted to you with Deference 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 311 

and pure faith that they will receive every attention 
which Circumstances can admit 

I have the honour to be 
Gentlemen 
with much respect 
your obedient humble Serv* 

WiNTHROP Sargent 
Hon^'« Judges 
Symmes 

and Putnam 



GENERAL WAYNES LETTER 

Pittsburgh 6th August 1792 
Sir 

I am fmcerely sorry to inform you, that the report 
of the murder of Col° Harding, & Major Truman, 
appears to be, but too well founded ; I have this mo- 
ment examined two men, just from Detroit, by the 
way of Niagara, who were taken Prisoners by the 
Indians, one of them, near Fort Jefferson, on the 27*^ 
of October, and the other, a M"" John Cleghorn, near 
the falls of Ohio, in April last, who was carried to 
Michilimackinac & from thence to Detroit, where he 
arrived on the 24*'^ of June, and says that, whilst he 
was at Michilimanckinac, accounts were received, that 
Captain Harding, and one or two others, were killed 
by the Indians, & the papers that were found upon 
them, sent to Cap* M'Kee — he was also informed 
at Detroit, (where the report was common) that, a 
Captain Truman, and another man were killed, near 
the Miami towns, by two Indians, who were in com- 
pany with them, in the Evening, that, the Indians, 
affected to be very uneasy — upon which. Captain 
Truman, told them, they might tie the other man, so 
that their numbers shou'd be equal, which was accord- 
ingly done, — that, they then shot Truman, & toma- 



312 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

hawed, the man that was tied ; that, the Interpreter 
made his escape into a swamp or woods, that the In- 
dians, called to him, and promised not to hurt him, 
upon which he dejivefd himself up, & they carried 
him to the Council, as a Prisoner ; and reprobated, 
the foolish conduct, of Truman — (as they termed it) 
for suffering the man, to be tied ; that these papers, 
were also, given to Cap^ M'Kee, and said, this was 
the fifth flag they had killed, nor had they any wish, 
or intention, to make peace, as they had already been 
deceived, by the Americans, last fummer, & before : 

he further says, that a Certain 6V>«c« Girty — with 
fotir hundred Indians had left Detroit some days 
before he arrived, — say about the 15*'' of June, and 
swore — that he wou'd make a stroke upon the Amer- 
icans immediately, & either kill, — or be killed, in 
the attempt, Query — may not this, be the person 
in red, or fcarlet, who was seen with the Indians, in 
the attack upon the fergeants party near Fort Jeffer- 
son, on the 25*^ of June : 

however this man Cleghorn, goes with the convey- 
ance, to Fort Washington, where you can have an 
opportunity of examining him more minutely ; Upon 
the whole, I believe, that the Death, of those two un- 
fortunate Gentlemen, is reduced to a certainty. 

You will please to make Gen^ Wilkinson, acquainted 
with this disagreeable information ; Your letter of the 
10*'^ Ultimo,^ & that of the 18*^ June, arrived safe. 
I have the honor to be with fmcere Esteem 
Your most Ob* 
& very 
Hum^ Ser* 

Anty Wayne 
The Honble 
Brig^ Gen' RUFUS PUTNAM 

1 Page 291. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 313 

letter from gen^ knox 

War-department, 

August 7th 1792. 
Sir. 

I have had the honor to receive your communica- 
tions of the 5th, 8th, and 9th of July.^ 

I have no doubt, but that poor Trueman has been 
facrificed by favage barbarity ! But, it is flill question- 
able, whether the motive thereto has been the blood- 
thirflinefs of an individual, the deiire of the Shawa- 
nefe and other inveterate tribes to fruflrate a peace, 
or, a dictate of the general council — If either of the 
two former, peace may yet be attainable. 

Captain Hendricks, accompanied by three friendly 
indians, probably fet out from Buffaloe for the Omee 
river, about the i8th of June — The Senekas would 
be later ; and Captain Brant would probably be at 
Au Glaze, about the 20th of the prefent month — It 
would be an uncommon afsemblage of unfortunate 
circumflances if all our overtures fail. You will culti- 
vate and make peace with the Wabash tribes to the 
utmost of your power, and you will judge how far 
your going to Post Vincennes, or any other place will 
facilitate the object — Extend your treaties with one 
tribe after another as far as pofsible, always fubject- 
ing them to the ratification of the Prelident and Sen- 
ate of the United States. 

The United States require no lands of the Wabash 
indians not heretofore ceded — Imprefs this idea 
upon all the tribes — Apply the goods at Fort Wash- 
ington to the purpofes of the faid treaties. 

If it fhould fo happen, that in purfuance of your 
inllructions, you fhould have an immediate opportu- 
nity of repairing to the hollile indians, you will ap- 

1 Pages 273, 280, 290. 



U 



314 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

point fuch time for afsembling, to the Wabash tribes, 
and all their connexions, as not to militate with the 
first object. 

I will endeavor to have more indian goods tranf- 
ported to Fort Washington, and I hope that an 
opportunity by a peace, will be prefented you, of 
bellowing them to the benefit of the United States. 

I have communicated a copy of your letter of the 
8th inflant, to the Prefident of the United States. 

The advancement of the public interefhs being the 
fole object of my purfijit, and not the ellablishment 
of any particular opinion, I am lincerely obliged to 
you for the propofitions relative to a different route 
by the Cayahoga — The plan of operations was con- 
fidered, and approved by the Prefident of the United 
States, upon as full a view of all circumllances, politi- 
cal as well as military, which could be obtained at 
the time of decifsion. 

We are in a delicate fituation, politically, with re- 
spect to the british government — There are exifling 
circumllances of fuch a nature as to render it highly 
expedient to avoid all cafes of a pofsible collifion 
with that power — Were we polled on the margin 
of the lake, and had thereon a naval arrangement 
of the moll diminutive fize, the peace and dignity of 
the country might be committed to the difcretion of 
a fubaltern's party — The Prefident has therefore 
judged it prudent to keep at a dillance from the lakes 
for the prefent — Hereafter, arrangements, fimilar to 
the one you propofed, may be adopted — At pre- 
fent, the following objections have occurred to my 
mind, to the Cayahoga route, which, with your pro- 
pofitions, I have tranfmitted to major general Wayne, 
for his confideration, and remarks thereon, to wit — 

First — Reafons of national policy will rellrain 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 315 

(during the prefent negociations relative to the pods) 
all arrangements on the lakes, which might occa- 
fion collifions with the British inferior agents. This 
is therefore a delicate point, & is not to be under- 
taken. 

Secondly. That in cafe of ofl^enfive operations, a 
divifion of the probable efficient force would be fuch 
as to render the fuccefs problematical. 

Thirdly — No immediate object could be found for 
the operation of the faid force, moving by the way 
of Cayahoga, provided the information by Captain 
Brant, could be depended upon ; to wit, that the 
Wyandots and Delawares have left Sandusky. 

Fourthly — That even if the foregoing reafons did 
not exifl fo flrongly, the advanced feafon would 
prevent the meafure this year, unlefs the motives 
were fo powerful, as to be a realbn for the troops 
encountering all the hardfhips and dangers of the 
late feafon, as in the last campaign. 

Fifthly. A poft, or pofls, ellablished at, and below, 
the Miami village, towards Lake Erie, would, it is 
prefumed, have the direct effect to make all the hof- 
tile Indians, hitherto refident to the eaflward of the 
faid Omie River, as at Sandusky, and other places, 
remove to the Wellward of the faid river, provided 
they have not already removed, which is highly prob- 
able. 

If the Prelident of the United States, to whom I 
have alfo communicated my objections, fliould judge 
differently, I fhall communicate the refult to the 
commander in chief. 

I have alfo communicated to major general Wayne, 
your letter of the 9th, relative to a poll on the Muf- 
kingum, in order that he may take fuch meafures 
thereon as he may judge proper. 



3i6 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

It will ilill be left to your difcretion, when to deliver 
the prifoners — r- Brigadier General Wilkinfon feems 
to think that most of them ought to be retained, to 
fee what part their tribes will take. 

The enclofed letter ^ is from General Ifrael Chapin, 
who is the Agent to the five Nations, and which I 
communicate to you, as important information. 
I have the honor to be 
Sir, 

with great efleem. 
Your very humble Serv* 
H Knox 
Sec^ of War 
Brigadier General Putnam 

[copy of a letter from general ISRAEL CHAPIN TO GEN- 
ERAL KNOX] 

[Enclosed in the preceding letter.] 

Canandaugue July 17, 1792 
Sir 

Agreeably to the directions I received for the pur- 
pose, I set out for Buffalo Creek the ninth Ultimo. 
It was out of my power to dispatch Captain Hen- 
drick, as soon as I could have wished. The Chiefs 
of the five nations at first peremptorily insisted on 
his waiting to accompany them, and it was not with- 
out difficulties that they were induced to relinquish 
the point. After a Council which was protracted for 
several days they however gave their consent. He 
set out in a bark Canoe on the eighteenth with suit- 
able attendants and provisions. It was the opinion of 
the Indians he would reach the place of destination 
in eight days. — As I had pofsefsed myself with all 
the information I expected I would have returned 

1 Page 316. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 317 

home after the departure of Captain Hendricks but 
the Chiefs would by no means consent to my leaving 
them while the treaty continued — and indeed I 
have not since been sorry as I have reason to believe 
that my continuance has been the means of more 
perfectly reconciling the Onadaugas and Cyugas. 
The far greater part of both nations have resided at 
buflfaloe Creek ever since the late war. On my first 
■ arrival the principal chief of the Cyuaga nation com- 
monly known by the name of the Fish Carrier and 
indeed the whole of both nations were extremely dis- 
affected, for the grounds of their disaffection, I must 
refer you Sir, to the Speeches delivered me on the 
occasion which I ordered to be taken down in writing 
on the Spot, and transmit to you by this dispatch. 
After several conferences with the Fish Carrier in 
which I was greatly afsisted by several chiefs who 
attended Congrefs he gradually relaxed in his sever- 
ity and at last became perfectly friendly. A number 
of young Warriors had gone off in the Spring to join 
the hostile Indians. The Fish carrier promised me 
that he would not only recall the party but would go 
in person to the Southern treaty and use every exer- 
tion to bring about a general pacification between 
Congrefs and the Southern Indians, that after he had 
been useful he would go and see General Washing- 
ton and could then take him by the hand with confi- 
dence and pleasure, few Indian chiefs have a more 
extensive influence than the fish Carrier, the altera- 
tion therefore of his sentiments could not but afford 
me the highest pleasure. I can only imprefs it as my 
private wish that all his reasonable requests might 
be gratified. 

You have no doubt heard Sir that a number of 
Senecas were concerned with our people in cutting off 



3i8 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

a scout of hostile Indians. This event has occasioned 
a good deal of uneasinefs among the five nations. 
Their resentment is peculiarly excited against the 
Commander at Fort Jefferson. They say that con- 
trary to the advice they received from Congrefs he 
has excited some of their thoughtlefs young men to 
strike the tomahawk into the heads of their brothers. 
That it has occasioned an uneasinefs towards the 
whole of their nation and thrown obstacles in the way 
of their influence in favor of their friends. 

The Chiefs from Onida did not arrive during the 
Council I should otherwise have been able to have 
dispatched the Chiefs of the five nations to the South- 
ern treaty, previously to my leaving Buffaloe Creek 
two of the Mafsasioga Chiefs attended council with 
the five Nations — their appearance was perfectly 
friendly — The [y] exprefsed a wish to be made ac- 
quainted with our great Men The Mohauks were 
sent for from the Grand River but as Captain Brant 
was absent and their principal Chief Sick they did 
not attend Colonel Butler the Brittish Superintend- 
ant of the Six Nations was also requested to attend. 
He came as far as the Garrison. The Commanding 
officer would not permit him to proceed further He 
however sent a speech to the Indians in which he 
told them they were in the right path and advised 
them to continue in it. I was visited by several Brit- 
tish Officers and Gentlemen from the Settlement of 
Niagara, they behaved with a politenefs that seemed 
nearly to approach to real friendfhip. 

On the whole every circumstance that respects the 
six Nations wears at present a mofl flattering ap- 
pearance. The Chiefs that went to Congrefs are our 
most Zealous friends, the[y] particularly explained 
to the nations who convened for the purpose the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 319 

Speeches they had made and received while absent, 
The reception and treatment they received at Phila- 
delphia, and I had the pleasure of observing that 
they meet with universal approbation. 

From the best intelligence I could procure the 
southern Nations rest in quiet except the Delaware 
and Shawanoes neither Can I learn that they at pre- 
sent have any thoughts of sending out war parties 
but are very attentive lest an enemy should surprize 
their Villages. The grand Council of Indian nations 
are now convening at the Falls of the Big Miami. It 
is thought it will be the largest ever known, the In- 
dians from Canada have been invited and are every 
day expected at Niagara. No offensive step will prob- 
ably be taken until after the General deliberation 
and from the number of friends we shall have there 
I am induced to expect a favorable ifsue. 

The five Nations manifested gratitude to Congrefs 
for their intention of erecting Schools among them 
and providing them with Blacksmiths. I would how- 
ever inform you Sir that it will be out of my power 
to do either except greater encouragment is given 
and if I may be permitted to give my private judg- 
ment if Congrefs would establish at present only one 
school to the west of Genesee River and endow it with 
a Stipend that would make it an object for a Gentle- 
man of Character it might prove of infinite fervice 
both in conciliating the affections of the Indians and 
in laying a foundation for their civilization. 

I would wish, Sir, fome direction how far I am 
to distribute to the Indians. I am continually sur- 
rounded by a Cloud of them since my appointment. 
They all expect to be fed from my Table, and made 
glad from my Celler, some instances too of Cloathing 
I have not been able to deny — I would Suggest the 



320 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Idea whether a small flore of Provifsions and goods to 
be distributed on necefsary occasions might not be a 
faving to the public. 

I am with respect 

Your mofl humble ferv* 

(Signal) Israel Chapin 

General KNOX 



major hamtramcks letter 

Fort Knox Post Vincennes 
August 9th 1 792 — 
Sir . ^ 

I have to Acknowledge your letter July 24*'' ^ — 
every Arrangement to promote the Public Service 
will be attended to with all Pofsible exactnefs — but 
I am Aff eared that the lownef of the water will make 
it difficult for any Boats or Perogues to Afcend the 
Wabash — Your Speech ^ to the Wabash Indians has 
already been Dilivered to two Nations and will be 
Dilivered to the Others as soon as pofsible — they 
Appeared to be well pleased and everything will work 
right if they are but sincere — I have also Sent your 
Speech to the Potowatomees by the son of the first 
King to that Nation who has been with me for some 
time (I suppose as a Spye) and he afsures me that he 
will bring his Nation to fee you — as they Sincerely 
wish to be at Peace with the U States — I shall have 
some Difficulty to send to the Illionois Country, owing 
to the extravegant Price they ask. however it must 
be done — if all the Indians attends they will draw 
about Seven or Eight Hundred Rations p'' day — I 
have the Honor to inclose you the State of the pro- 
visfons now on hand — I beg to Observe that after 
I have sent you the Sixty four Men to the Mouth of 

1 Page 305. 2 Page 307. 




THE OHIO COMPANY'S LAND OFFU'E AT MARIETTA 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 321 

the Wabash as I am directed, that the Garrisfon will 
be left very weak for our total is but 94 and twenty 
of them are Sicke — I would beg therefore that the 
Escort which I am told is to come with the Cattle 
from the Falls might be sent on so as to be here be- 
fore the Perognes goes down, which will be the first 
day of September — 

I have the Honor to 
be Sir with Very great 
Respect your Most obedient 
and Very humble Servant 

J. F. Hamtramck 
Brig^ Genr. PuTNAM 

COPY OF LETTER TO GEN^- KNOX 

Fort Washington August i6th 1792 
Sir 

My last letter was dated July 26*^ with which I en- 
clofed a duplicate of my letter of the 22<^ of the Same 
month, with a copy of Some Speeches connected 
with the bufmefs of treating with the Indians at Post 
Vincent. ^ 

I have ben in anxious expectation to recive Some 
information from you or General Wayne, before this 
time, that Should have removed every doubt with 
refpect to Major Truman and the other Mefsengers 
being murdered, as I concived Captain Hendrick 
would afsertain that matter and have it in his power 
to report to you or General Wayn, althoe he might 
not be able to give me any information on the Sub- 
ject, but hearing of northing from Hendrick or any 
other quarter to contridict the Meafure, I Shall Leave 
this tomorrow morning for Post Vincent, in purfuit 
of the object I wrote you in the letter above refered 

1 Pages 301, 307, 308. 



322 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

to — the Indian prifoners and goods, for the treaty, 
Started down the river this morning 

I flatter my felf that a pritty large number of In- 
dians will afsemble and accordingly have fent forward 
goods Sufficient to Supply nearly 700 of different Sexes 
and Sizes, with a Blanket, Stroud, leggens, and Ihirt 
each befides 30 Coats & 30 hats, for chiefs, — Sifsers 
knives looking Glafses &c — And I take with me 
Some of the Medals, Arm & wrift bands and other 
Jewels — 

I feal exceedingly embarrafed on the ocation lest 
pofsiably Hendrick or Some other frindly Mefsenger 
Should arrive from the North or that Some inllruc- 
tions from the War office may have ifsued, with 
which my Visit to post Vincent Should be inconfist- 
ant. but the morral certainty of the murder of our 
flags and So much time haveing elapsed without any 
intiligence relative to the primary object for which 
I came out, togather with the profpect of rendering 
efencial Servis to goverment by takeing advantage 
of existing circumftan [ce] s which would probably be 
lost for ever if the prefent moment Should not be 
embraced, I trust if my conduct is not approved I 
Shall yet be excufiable. I mean Such circumlla [nces] 
as that the chiefs have exprefsed a willingnefs to 
come to post Vincent but no further & the agreement 
of Hamtramck that they Should have a treaty at that 
place which Should that agreement not be complyed 
with on the part of goverment in a reafonable time 
the mifschief might not eafily be remidied & if not 
gratified in this by the influence of their Neighbours 
they are in danger every moment of forming war 
parties that the prifoners being taken along will 
probably influenc many to come in which otherwife 
would not and when they Shall See thefe prifones 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 323 

well cloathed and generously given up to their frinds 
with the report of their good ufsag'e while prifoners 
it must certainly have a great influence with all who 
fhall be prefent a circumllance this which may never 
exist again — 

befides I am well afsured that Some of the first 
carractors among the Wabafh Chiefs refused to come 
in on Major Hamtramicks invitation becaufe he was 
no more then a war Capttain, and the further I have 
enquired into the bufmefs the more I am convinced 
it is a matter of confiderable confequence and ought 
to be attended to I find they have no Idea of War 
Captains treating of peace this provence belongs to 
other courts and it was for this reafon, Kaweahatta 
the great Chief of the Eel river refused to See Major 
Hamtramick last winter, but told his brother (who 
was a War Captain) that he might go, that it was 
proper one War Captain Should Speek with another, 
to avoid this prejudice, and alfo that they might have 
an Idea of the bufinefs I was charged with from their 
corespondence with the britifh, I have taken the car- 
ractor of " Agent of the Great Chief General Walh- 
ington. — and that I may be conlistent have thrown 
by my uniform and taken the habit of a civilian 

Thefe circumflances are trivial with us and prehaps 
with Some may be thought Laughable, but with thefe 
barbaras people they are conlidered as matters of 
great moment and if we mean to make a peace with 
them we ought to accommodate our felves to their 
Ideas of propriety efpecially those which they con- 
lider as binding on them 

I Shall make every pofiable exertion in perfuaid- 
ing thefe Western [Indians] to Send a deputation to 
Philadelphia & I am not without hopes of prevailing 
with them on that head 



324 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

I prefume that my letters as late as the 1 1**' of July- 
must have reached you by the tenth of August, and if 
your anfwer is forwarded by exprefs from Pittsburgh 
the dispatches will reach Fort Wafhington by the first 
of September and General Wilkinfon will imedi- 
ately forward them to me where at post Vincent they 
cannot fail of arriveing by the tenth or fifteenth of 
September I made this calculation when I appointed 
the treety and I Still hope to recive your inflructions 
before the time of opening it — 

I enclofe you an Abllract of Indian goods Hill re- 
maining at Fort Wafhington. Some of thefe articles 
are much damaged and ought in my opinion to be 
Sold, & Some others are not fit for Indian purposes — 
the 434>^ yards of Linsey is a flriped cloath, and 
would anfwer very well to make into hunting fhirts 
and over halls, to fupply rifle men or other fcouting 
parties ocationaly when fent into the woods, as it is 
much [m] ore healthy then linen and lighter then the 
common woolen, and the colour will ferve for con- 
cealment much better then the common uniforms 

COPY OF LETTER TO GEN'' WILKINSON 

Fort Washington August 17th 1792 
Sir 

you are perfectly acquainted with every circum- 
ftance connected with the bufinefs I came out upon. 
Should anything turn up in any quarter which you 
concive it necefsary for me to be informed of I ftiall 
thank you to give me the earliest inteligence in 
perticuler if any Dispatches for me or Major Ham- 
tramick should arrive from the War office I must re- 
qust that you will forward them by exprefs as Soon 
as pofiable 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 325 

COPY OF LETTER TO GENERAL KNOX 

Rapids of ohio August 21, 1792 
Sir 

the Escort with the Indian prifoners &c arrived 
here yesterday without any accident the low flate of 
the water obliges us to hall the goods provifions &c by 
the rapids in waggons which will be fome expence 
and caufe two or three days detention — 

I enclofe an extract from Major Hamtramcks letter 
to me from Fort Knox dated august 9*^.^ 

I wrote you very perticulerly the 16*^ inflent^ from 
Fort Wafhington, and have northing new to add ex- 
cept that I hear a perfon by the name of Harden who 
lives fome where neer the ohio on this fide of Cum- 
berland River is miditateing to flrike at the Indians 
in fome quarter or other. I am told he is the fame 
perfon who murdered fome frindly Indians neer post 
Vincent about three years ago. fhould this wretch be 
fuccefsfull in raifing his party (which it is faid is to 
consill of 100 and that his advertisments inviteing 
volunteers are posted up in divers part of the coun- 
try) and fall on the Wabafh Indians at this time it 
muft undoubtedly put an end to all profpect of peace 
in that quarter, and all the expence which gover- 
ment are at on the ocation be worfe then thrown 
away 

it is thought by fom that few will joyne in his pro- 
posed expidition and that he will not be able to make 
any llroke of confequence. but Sir fhall the United 
States Suffer an Individule thus to infult her au- 
thorety with impunity. I hope not and must entreet 
that proper meafu [re] s be adopted to punifh this and 
every fuch disturber of the public peace for untill 

1 Page 320. ^ Page 321. 



326 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

fome examples are made of fuch perfons, the frontiers 
will be continually involved in war and bloodfhed and 
the united Stats in expence — 

letter from general wilkenson 

Fort Hamilton 

August 28 1792 
Dear General 

Having waited until this date, without receiving 
Aid, Information or Advice from above, I am con- 
strained to make ufe of the Garrison of Fort Steuben, 
as an Escort to the Convoy of Beef Cattle, destined 
to Fort Knox ; It is necefsary this Convoy should 
return as soon as the public Service may permit and 
I have ordered accordingly. — As all things in this 
quarter remain as you left them, I have nothing to 
add, but my best wishes for your Succefs and Safe 
return, and with my respects to M' Hackenwelder 
and Major Hamtramck, I remain with great respect 
and Esteem 

Sir 

Your most Obd* Serv* 

JA. Wilkinson 

B General 

P S. You will oblige me highly, and will confer a 
particular favor on Judge Innes of Kentucky, if 
you can at the treaty which may be held discover 
and redeem, or put the Businefs in train for the 
redemption of a Mulatto Fellow and two Black 
Fellows all Slaves, taken from his Improvement 
on Elk Horn near Frankfort in Kentucky about 
the 25*^ of May jA. W. 

Brig' Gen^ PUTNAM. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 327 

LETTER FROM MAJOR HAMTRAMCK 

Fort Knox Vincennes August 31st 1792 
Sir 

I Suppose you have received the letter which I had 
the honor of writing you by the Exprefs who returned 
to the Rapids of the Ohio, Since which I have Sent 
to Different tribes of Indians agreeably to your Di- 
rection — 

it Certainly is very mortifying to Make overtures 
of peace to the Indians while the ground is yet Reek- 
ing with the blood of our Mefsengers, But as it is the 
Intention of Goverment to Effect a truce for a Final 
general treaty, and that this war is so disagreeable 
to the people of the United States, I have every ex- 
pectation that you will Be able (through this channel) 
to bring the affair to a pacific Conclusion 

I Suppose that you will meet with great Difficul- 
ties in afcending the Wabash : I think that the Most 
expeditious way, would be to leave a part of your 
Effects on the Margin of the River with a Small guard 
and for the pirogues to return immediately — 

I have Sent all the men I Could Spare which is 
fifty one, and a Frenchman to each pirogue — 
I have the Honor to be 
Sir with very great 

Respect your Most obedient 
and Very humble Servent — 

J F HAMTRAMCK 

Brig«^ G. Putnam — 



328 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 



letter from general wilkinson 

Fort Washington 

Sept: 8th 1792 

Sir 

I arrived at this place last Evening from the out 
Parts, & had the pleasure to receive the enclosed let- 
ters & papers for you, which I have sent forward to 
Louisville, to go from thence exprefs to Fort Knox, 
where I trust in God they may find you in health, 
& progrefsing to your satisfaction, in the important 
Businefs on your Hands. — 

I have recently made a tour to the unfortunate 
Field of Action, where I discovered a Six & a three 
Pound piece of Brafs ordinance ; from thence I pushed 
forward a reconnitring Party, (properly provided for 
taking the course & distance), to the S* Marys, the 
nearest part of which by the Indian path is forty 
miles from the Field of Action — this party marched 
fifty one Miles, when they came to a very noted Sugar 
Camp, known to one of them, & on the East side of 
the S*^ Marys, about eight Miles from the Junction of 
that River & the S* Joseph — I have now every thing 
to be wished for, relativly to that Route. — From 
the Field of Action, I fell back on Genl. S* Clairs 
trace about eight miles, to free me from the Ponds & 
Marshes, formed by the Head Waters of the Wabash, 
& then Steering an E. S. E. course, I turned the 
Sources of the Western Branch of the Big Miami, 
which I find navigable above Fort Jefferson, (& in a 
N. E. b. N. direction from that Post,) about Sixteen 
miles. I descended that stream twenty miles, & found 
the Bed thereof, from one hundred to one hundred & 
twenty yards wide, flat & free from rapids — I have 
in Person & by detachments, fully explored the Coun- 



. OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 329 

try between the Miami & Genl S* Clairs Route, and 
find that He was much too far to the Westward — 
which not only increased the distance but threw Him 
into bad ground — a South course run from a Point 
about ten Miles East of Fort Jefferson, struck Fort 
Hamilton exactly ; I marched myself further East in 
ordor to examine the River, which bears S. E. & 
N. W. and after leaving it & runing upon courses 
from S. S. E. to S. b. W. struck the main River about 

Six Miles above Hamilton if thefe details answer 

no other purpose, they may amuse you for a mo- 
ment. — 

A Woman taken on the 4*^ of November, (Mary 
M^Knight) escaped from the Enemy & after fifteen 
days travel, gained fort Jefferson on the 30*^' Ult"^°. I 
got no satisfaction from Her, as she appeared to be 
uninformed, was reduced to a Skeleton & withal was 
very ill — She informed me however that most of the 
Indians had gone to Detroit, but that Several Parties 
of Pottawatamies had gone off to attend a Treaty 
which they heard was to be held at S* Vincennes, — 
one of thefe Parties a few days before, I verily believe 
fired upon Fort Jefferson — . — 

My last Letters from Genl. Wayne are under the 
date of the 5*^ Ult™°, & I now transcribe & enclose 
the Copy ^ of the most Interesting one for your satis- 
faction — In this, you have every Information I pof- 
sefs, as to the future views, plans or objects of Gov- 
ernment — I have rec*^ no reinforcement, & but a very 
small quantity of forage has arrived here. I anti- 
cipate a terrible deficiency in that article, & was I 
now to bring the Horfe from Kentucky, they would 
probably starve before the Spring — I shall there- 
fore continue them where they now are, until the 
1 Page 330. 



330 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Dragoons arrive, and as for the Chickafaws I can find 
no employ for them until offensive operations are re- 
commenced. I shall therefore continue to rest the 
Security of our Convoys & the Duties of Scouting & 
recconnitring, upon the Kentucky Corps, which will 
be kept up. — 

The Enemy continue their depradations, generally 
from this to the head of the River, in small preda- 
tory parties ; Barbee [?] pursued a party which had 
stolen fourteen of his Horfes, overtook them, killed 
one & recovered his Cattle — in the same manner 
a fecond has been killed by the Militia of Columbia 
— and the Rifle Corps is now in pursuit of a strong 
party, which stole thirty or forty of the Q'' M""^ & Con- 
tractors Horfe from Fort Hamilton, the night before 
last. — I do not recollect any thing I can add, worthy 
your attention. I therefore with the warmest wishes 
for your succefs in your Mifsion, & for your safe re- 
turn, am with sincere respect & regard 

Dear Sir Y"^ Obd Sv* 

JA. Wilkinson 
Gen^ Putnam 

pray remember me to Mr. Hackenwelder. 



COPY OF LETTER FROM GENL WAYNE TO GENERAL WILKINSON 

[Enclosed in the preceding letter.] 

Pittsburgh 5* August 1792 
Sir 

Since writing you on the 31^* Ultimo I have been 
honored with yours of the 12*^ of July, enclosing 
copies of letters to the Secretary of war, and other 
papers ; I am obliged by your ideas, respecting the 
Enemy we have to contend with, which perfectly, 
coincide with my own, but I fear, that the feason will 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 331 

pafs over previously, to our knowing the Ultimate 
intentions of the Hostile Indians, with respect to 
peace, or War, — nor can we attempt any thing, untill 
that event is known, altho from present appearances, 
there can be but little expectation of an Honorable 
and lasting peace, with a victorious, haughty and in- 
sidious enemy, — Stimulated, by British emifsaries, 
to a continuence of the war, — or to dictate, terms of 
peace, perhaps, disgraceful to the American Char- 
acter ; — but, such was the prevailing disposition of 
a decided Majority in Congrefs — that goverment, 
was compeled to adopt the measure, of attempting 
every pofsible means of procuring peace, — previ- 
ously, to any Hostile operation. 

I fear that Major Trueman, and Colonel Harding, 
have been Martyrs to this State policy, — the account 
brought by M"^ Vigo from S* Vincennes of their 
murder, is too strongly corroborated, by recent in- 
telligence, by way of Detroit, & Niagara. M"- Rose- 
crantz, who is on a mifsion to, & with, the five nations, 
writes on the 19*^ Ultimo, that a vefsel has Just ar- 
rived from Detroit, in which was an Indian from the 
mouth of the Miami, of Lake Erie, who says, that an 
officer, and one man bearing a fiag, were killed on 
their way to the Council of Hostile Indians, but that 
the interpreter — who spoke the Delaware language 
very well, was saved, and carried in as a prisoner. 
Should this be really the case, it will soon be authen- 
ticated ; as the five Nations have sent Cap* Henry, 
a famous chief of the Unadago nation, with a mef- 
sage from themselves, and a talk from the President 
of the United States, to the hostile Indians, and from 
whom, they expected to hear every hour. — Rose- 
crantz, waits his return. Nothwithstand [ing] all this, 
I have very little «:;xpectation ; of any real intention, 



332 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

in the hostile Indians, for a permanent peace — and 
therfore wish, it were pofsible, to secure a very large 
quantity of hay at Fort Jefferson. 

My intention, was, to reinforce you, with the three 
companies of Rifle men mentioned in my last, im- 
mediately, but, unfortunately, their Clothing is not 
yet arrived at this place ; owing to some unaccounta- 
ble neglect. I expect the Dragoons for two troops of 
Cavalry, at this place, in the course of a few days. 
They marched from Trenton & Fredrick town, be- 
tween the 20*'' & 24}^ Ultimo, the moment they ar- 
rive, I will arm them with Muskets, & Bayonets, and 
order them to descend the river for Fort- Washington, 
carrying with them, the arms and accoutrements, 
for the Cavalry, — you will therfore please, to give 
the necefsary orders for the Horse, upon which they 
are to be mounted, — (that have been purchased by 
the Deputy Q. M. G. in Kentucky) to be collected at 
fome fafe, and convenient place for the purpose ; you 
may certainly expect them to Join you, within two 
weeks, after the rec* of this — & probably, the Rifle 
corps about the same time, or within twenty days at 
farthest, which I presume, will be as early as you 
could pofsibly obtain Volunteer Rifle Corps, from 
Kentucky. 

But, as the timely arrival of these troops is even- 
tual, you are hereby authorised, to retain the Hun- 
dred mounted Volunteers from Kentucky^ untill Joined 
by the troops before mentioned, and if you can do 
the businefs, without risking too much, do exert every 
nerve, to fecure as great a quantity of hay as pofsi- 
ble, at Fort Jefferson. 

I do not know what number of Chickasaws are 
expected at Nashville — Should the war progrefs, 
or that, in your opinion — these Indians will be ser- 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 333 

viceable, — you may order them to Join you ; of this 
however, you are constituted the Judge, & will act ac- 
cordingly ; The troops collect very Slow — but I am 
informed by the Secretary of War, that a considera- 
ble number of recruits, are now on their march from 
the Several States, to form a Junction at this place. 
I have the honor to be with fmcere esteem 
your most obed* 
The Honorable ) & very humble Servant 

Brig' General V (Signed) Ant^ WAYNE 

James Wilkinson j 

SPEECH TO THE EEL RIVER AND WEVA INDIANS 

Brothers 

of the Eel River, and Weya Tribes — 

I thank the great fpirit that has given us an opper- 
tunity to See and fpeek to one another at this time — 
Brothers — you have ben long mourning for your 
frinds and relations, but this day reflores them to 
your arms. 

The Great Chief of the United States always wifhes 
to make people happy, and therefore as foon as he 
was informed of your agreement with Major Ham- 
tramck he imediately, gave order that all your frinds 
who ware with us Ihould be rellored to you. And you 
may rest afsured, that, from my heart, I feal happy 
in haveing had the honour to put this ordor in exe- 
cution, & bringing your frinds and relations to meet 
you here. — 
Brothers of the Weyas 

one of your Chiefs has died while on a visit to fee 
his family, on this account I See tears in your eyes, 
but I have buried your Chief with all the refpect due 
to a Chief of my own Nation, permit me then to 



1/ 



334 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

wipe all tears from your Eyes, weep no longer for 
the Dead but rejoice in the living 
viNCENNEs, Sept 13th 1792 R Putnam 

addition all general matters will be attended to 
when the Chiefs of the Several tribes expected Ihall 
arrive in the mean time you will retire to your Vil- 
lage up the river and you will have notice when the 
other Chiefs arrive — 

COPY OF AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF VINCENNES 

Publifhed both in Englifh & French 

By Rufus Putnam Esquire, one of the Judges in 
and over the Teritory Northwest of the River 
Ohio Brigadier General in the Army of the United 
States, and Agent for treating with the Indians — 

To the inhabitants of the Town of Vincennes Frinds 
and fellow Cittizens. 

it is prefumed that none of you are Ignorent, that 
a treaty is about to be holden with the Indians at 
this place, and that for fome time pall they have 
ben collecting for that purpos. nor can any of you 
be uninformed of the Law that prohibits the Selling 
any Spiritious liquors to Indians and it must be ob- 
vious to every one who will reflect on the Subject 
that this Law is founded on the principles of Mor- 
rallity and humanity and therfore ought at all times 
most relegiously to be obferved, but more efpecially 
at the prefent time. — I do therefore with the Solici- 
tude of a frind as well the authority of a Magistrate, 
forbid all perfons, of whatever degree, thofe who have 
obtained licence for tradeing with them as well as 
others from Selling Spiritious liquors to the Indians 
untill the treaty which is about to be holden Shall 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 335 

be concluded — And all officers Civil and Military 
are called on in an efpecial maner to exert them 
felves in detecting and bringing to punilhment all 
offenders, and the people in general are reminded 
that it is their duty, and that all good Citizens will 
not only keep the law themfelves but ufe their en- 
devor to have the tranfgrefser punilhed — But Should 
any be So lost to their duty and Intrest as to perfist 
in tranfgrefsion under an Idea that no conviction 
can be had on the testimony of an Indian Witnefs ; 
they are informed that on Such evidence or on Cir- 
cumllances that give reafonabl ground of Sufpition I 
Shall not hisetate to take the party Suspected and 
his licquors into custoday Securing the latter in the 
public maggazean untill the treaty is over, and lay- 
ing the party under Bonds or for want of Sureties 
commit him, her or them to prifon 

Given under my hand at Post Vincent this iS*'^ 

day of September 1792 

R Putnam 

A Copy — 

A JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS AT A COUNCIL HELD WITH 
THE INDIANS OF THE WABASH AND ILLINOIS AT POST VIN- 
CENTS, BY BRIGADIER GENERAL PUTNAM 

In consequence of General Putnams Speech of 
the 24*^ of July last,i the following Tribes viz* Eel- 
River, Weaughtenows, Powtawattemows, Kekaw- 
poos, Peankeshaws, Musquetans & Kaskaskias, met 
him in the Councill Houfe at Post Vincents at 10 
oClock in the forenoon of the 24*^ Day of September 
1792. 

After a profound silence. General Putnam ad- 
drefsed them : 

1 Page 307. 



336 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Brothers ! Let us Smoke a Pipe of Friendship. 
Tobacco being presented & Pipes being lit by an In- 
terpreter, he Shook hands with all present, beginning 
with those who live in the East, and ending with 
those who live in the West ; according to custom on 
those occafions. after which he read by Periods the 
following Speech viz* — 

Brothers of the Eel-River, Weaughtenows, Powta- 
wattemows, Kakawpoos, Peankeshaws, Musquetons 
and Kaskaskias. 

I congratulate you on our first meeting together 
this day. My Speeches which I sent you 60 Days 
ago have reached you, and you are now come to 
hear what I have to say to You. We meet one an- 
other for a good purpose ; and the great Spirit who 
has preserved our Lives to this day, where we see 
one another face to face, and shake hands together, 
will be witnefs to all our Transactions. We meet to- 
gether on no strange Ground. It is the ground on 
which Your Ancellors have kindled a Council-fire, 
and where You since have often met and Smoked 
the Pipe of Peace. This fire must always be kept 
burning bright, so that You and Your Allies may see 
it and meet one another at all times without difficulty 
or fear ; there to Smoke the Pipe of Friendship and 
Love. 
Brothers 

I rofe from the great Council-Fire of the United- 
States four Months ago. There I saw the Chiefs of 
the five-Fires, and the Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation 
smoke the Pipe of Peace with the great Chief of the 
United States, General Washington. The Fire was 
burning bright, and all that were arround it felt 
happy. The great Chief wished this happinefs to 
extend to all Nations. His Council-Fire is kindled 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 337 

for the benefit of all Nations. He loves to see his 

Brothers, to talk and Smoke with them. 

Brothers 

While the great Chief General Washington was 
thus joyful with his Brothers that were with him, he 
looked around, and saw with Sorrow that some of his 
distant Brothers could not enjoy this happinefs with 
him at present. He observed that a dark Cloud had 
sprung up between them and the United-States some 
time ago ; and that this Cloud had darkened the Sky 
so much ; that his Brothers and the People of the 
United States could not distinguish one another, but 
stumbled against each other, and struck the Tom- 
hock in each others heads. 
Brothers ! 

The great Chief wishing to have this dark Cloud 
removed and dispersed — to see the Tomhock drawn 
out of the heads of each other and buried in the Deep 

— To take each other by the hand anew, and establish 
a good and lasting Friendship between all his Brothers 
and the United States : has appointed me his Agent 
for this Purpose. I am therefore come to You in con- 
fidence that we shall be able to accomplish this great 
Work, and I may then return again to the great 
Chief with Afsurances of Friendship and Peace. 
Brothers 

I told You in my Speech which I sent You ; that 
when I came I should bring Your Women and 
Children with me, and return them to their Friends — 
They are now with You. 
Brothers 1 

I shall always speak to You from my Heart, not 
from my Lip's only — Speak also from Your Hearts 

— Tell me the caufe of Your Uneasinefs, and I will 
endeavor to remove it. 



338 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

The above Speech being Interpreted by Periods 
to the several Tribes by WiUiam Wells, Rene Co- 
der, Capt" Mayet and John Baptist Constant, their 
respective Interpreters ; General Putnam delivered 
them a bunch of white Wampum containing Six 
Strings. 

After a long Silence, a Chief of the Eel River 
Tribe rofe — shook hands, and after apologizing for 
being Sick, said : 
My Older Brother ! 

All Your Brothers have heard You and rejoice at 
what You have said — I shall say no more at pre- 
sent, but we will consult among ourselves, and will 
return You an Answer tomorrow — You are right, 
by saying that we meet one another on no strange 
ground — It is the very place where our former 
Chiefs met and smoked together, (retired) 

Next a Chief of the Weaughtenows rofe, shook 
hands and said. 
My Older Brother ! 

I am very glad that what I always told the Na- 
tions, is come to pafs. 
My Older Brother 

I never told a falsehood to my Father the French, 
nor to my Brothers the Americans — We are all 
glad at what You have said, and will consider upon 
it, and give You an Answer to-morrow. 
Another Chief of the Weaughtenows rofe and desired 
the Nations not to detain tiie General, but to dispatch 
the Bufsinefs. 

Another Chief of the same Nation rofe, shook hands 
and said to General Putnam — You, Major Ham- 
tramck and Mr Prior, told me there would be a 
Treaty : Now it is come to pafs : and we are met for 
that purpose — At such important meetings delib- 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 339 

eration and time are necefsary — Let us not then be 

in too great a hurry — We will consider with one 

another upon it, and return an Answer to Your 

Speech. 

A Chief of the Poutewattemows next rofe, shook 

hands & said : 

Father ! 

All white People who have hitherto spoken to Us, 
always called Us Children : I shall therefore call You 
Father. We are all Your Children — You have 
spoken well to Us — You have spoken from Your 
Heart — We will like wife Speak from our Hearts — 
I am glad at this Opportunity of speaking to You — 
The great Spirit directed right that we should meet 
on this ground — It is ours altho we have a Yellow 
Skin, and not Yours ; — but when we have a mind 
to give away any, we will do it — (shook hands) and 
added : — to morrow we will Answer Your Speech 
A Kekapoo Chief rofe & said 
My Older Brother 

What I have to say, has already been said by 
those who spoke before me — We shall Answer 
fully to-morrow — We now wish to retire ; our Wo- 
men and Children being hungry. 
A Chief of the Kaskaskias Tribe, John Baptist Du- 
coigne rofe and shook hands with Ceremony ; then 
said : 
My Older Brother 

I shall always call You my older Brother — I re- 
joice from my Heart to see You — My body is not 
only come here ; my Heart is also here to speak to 
You — I rejoice to see the Indian Nations take You 
by the hand — I always recommended to them, to 
be friends to Congrefs, General Washington and all 
the Americans — I now desire them to listen with 



340 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

attention to what is said to them, and to return You 
an Answer sincerely — I mean to do so for my own 
part — (shook hands and retired) 
A Queen of the Weaughtenows rofe, and shaking 
hands with General Putnam, apologized for her Sons' 
not being here ; saying : They are wicked when 
they are drunkk — They have done a great deal of 
Mischief — Yet she should say something for them. 
Their Older Brothers (meaning the Miamis &*= In- 
dians) spurr'd them to do mischief — They were not 
therefore altogether to blame. 

A Peorian Chief rofe and shook hands in Ceremony : 
then said : 
My Older Brother 

I wish men of more Sense than I am, would rife 
and speak ; yet I will say something — The Old 
Chiefs make me strong — Upon You I look as my 
Friend — I will stand by You — The old Chiefs will 
hear and make You an Answer — The white People 
have more sense than we, who have a Yellow Col- 
our — They were made first, and they ought to be 
hearkened to. (retired) 

General Putnam then rofe and addrefsed the Tribes 
thus : 

Brothers ! You are very right in postponing the 
Answer till to-morrow ; and if You want more time, 
You shall have it. Now we will drink a Dram to- 
gether, and retire for to day. 

Adjourned at 2 ^'Clock. 
The Council met at 10 "Clock forenoon 25*^^ Sep- 
tember. 

Some old Diplomas, Pafses and Recommendations 
were presented by several Indians, which after pe- 
rusing. General Putnam returned again. — then — 

Ducoigne a Chief of the Kaskaskias rofe with a 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 341 

long Pipe, well adorned and lit, addrefsing the Gen- 
eral : 
My Older Brother 

You are now to smoke with us out of the Pipe of 
Peace of our Ancesters — He next held the Pipe to 
the General to smoke, and then to evry person pre- 
sent ; in Ceremony — In the mean time a Weaugh- 
tenow Chief rose and said : 
My Older Brother 

Permit us to deliver our Answer to Your Speech, 
through our Younger Brother of Kaskaskias (Du- 
coigne) for tho he is Young, he is the best Speaker ; 
and therefore we have chosen him to speak our Sen- 
timents. He is unanimously chosen by all the Tribes 
present for that Purpofe. 

Ducoigne then came forward with the same Pipe 
in his hands & made the following speech. — 

My Older Brother, (shaking the Generals hands in 
his with great fervour) 

All my Brothers listen to me. we shall now talk 
of fair weather. — 

My older Brothers, Congrefs, General Washington 
& all Americans open your ears and pay attention to 
what I fhall say. We all, together with our Queens, 
present you with this Pipe, which has never been 
stained. It will incline you to respect truth, and to 
pay attention to what I say. We all have one heart. 
I am called upon to speak truth from that heart. 
We wish you to conceal nothing ; to speak truth and 
make the hearts of our women & children glad. — 
My Older Brother. 

Be strong. We are come to talk of Peace. Be 
strong. 
My older Brother. 

Take this Pipe and present it to the great Chief 



342 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

General Washington. We expect that he will smoke 
out of it. (He here presented the pipe to General 
Putnam.) then he took up a large Belt, with thirteen 
diamonds wrought in it, and turning to the Indians 
addrefsed them as follows. — 

You my Brothers of all nations present : I am glad 
you are afsembled here. I call upon you to hearken 
to what I say to our Brother of the United States. 
Pay good attention to the Speech made to us yester- 
day by our older Brother. I should have been glad 
if matters had remained as they were in the days of 
the French. Then, all the Country was clear & open. 
— (He repeated the same words again) — Then turn- 
ing to the General and shaking hands with him he 
said, 
My Older Brother. 

The French English & Spainards never took any 
lands from us. We expect the same of you. — 
My older Brother, 

These are the sentiments of the Indian Tribes. 
We would regret the lofs of our beds. The Author 
of life created us on these lands ; and we wish to live 
and die on them. — No person can take them from 
us but he who gave them to us 
My older Brother. 

Were the French, English or Spainards to attack 
us, what would become of us. We request of you 
never to usurp our Lands. Neither to destroy our 
Game. — 
My older Brother, 

I tell you the plain truth. Our Lands have been 
stained with blood, which grieves us. But now we 
are glad, you are come for the purpose of Peace. — 
My Older Brother, 

Do not blame us for striking you. It was the Eng- 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 343 

lish that gave us the Tomhock to strike you. You 
cannot be ignorant of the cause of the war. — 
My older Brother. 

This war has destroyed many of our People who 
would otherwise be here, but I am convinced you 
will wipe ofl[ the stains that have been made on our 
lands. This is the wish of all of us. — 
My older Brother, 

You are many and so are we. Were we on the 
same land we might quarrel. It is best that the white 
People live in their own Country & we in our's. 
Formally our Lands were extensive. Now they are 
but small. Therefore we wish to keep what we have. 
We desire of you to remain on the other side of the 
river Ohio. These are the sentiments of all the Chiefs 
& Warriors. 
My Older Brother, 

Observe how clear the sky is today. — It is a good 
Omen. It has been clear, since we began to speak. 
It promises that our negociation will succeed. Which 
is the ardent wish & delire of all the Tribes here 
present. — 
My older Brother, 

The English & Spainards by giving us goods 
endeavour to keep us strangers to you. — It is the 
cause that there are no more of us here. — We desire 
you to consider our Poverty, and to send us some- 
thing every spring to make us comfortable. — You 
have it in your power to render us all happy, and 
to rejoice our women & children. We desire you to 
send Traders among us. 
My Older Brother, 

Here is the belt — (now he delivers it) — which we 
request you to deliver to the great Chief General 
Washington. Salute him from us all; and tell him 
that all have made peace. 



344 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

My Older Brother, 

As to myself I fear you. — I am acquainted with 
your strength. Nobody can overset you ; the great 
Spirit has ordered it so. I wish to live in peace with 
you always. — 
My Older Brother, 

All these Chiefs have named me to speak their 
sentiments, 'tho I am the Youngest. Now I have fin- 
ished this Talk. — 

He then turned to the Tribes and strongly recom- 
mended to them to pay attention to what their older 
Brother General Putnam said. — To leave off stealing 
Horses from the Americans, whom they reduced to 
the necefsity of hoeing instead of plowing. He wished 
all evils to cease. To walk in the road that was now 
open & clear. — Made a bow to the General & re- 
tired. — 

A Chief of the Weaughtenows rose and said. 
My older Brother, 

I wish to say something in behalf of this Chief who 
has just spoken. He being a man of sense we chose 
him to speak our sentiments. He has fulfilled it faith- 
fully. — You know now our sentiments respecting 
lands. All I have to say is to ask you to take pity 
on our women & children. 

He then said he was to speak for a Chief who had 
a pain in his back. — 
My older Brother, 

The words I will speak are the sentiments of my 
heart. Let us from this time lay every evil aside. I 
have no more to say. He presented two strings of 
white Wampum. — N° i ^ 

And turning to the nations urged the necefsity of 

^ This and subsequent numbers refer to the list of Extracts of Indian 
Speeches per Journal 'vi\i\c!ci follows. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 345 

Peace. He recommended to them to follow the advice 
of the Chief who died lately, who had always advised 
them to peace. — 

A Powtowattemow Chief rose and said. 
My Father, 

I have but little to say. Our younger brother has 
told you our sentiments. I will do as he does. You 
see, my Father, how clear the sky is. It is a good 
sign. — In the days of the French we lived in peace. 
Since the English and the Americans became our 
fathers we have had wars. — 
My Father, 

I rejoice in what you have told us. All of us are 
glad to see you among us this day. We fhall always 
be happy to see you, but never take our lands from 
us. This is all I have to say ; To-morrow I fhall open 
my heart wider, and tell you more. He shook hands, 
then called up two young Chiefs of the Musquetons, 
informed General Putnam, that he was to speak for 
them, they being young & bashful. — They presented 
four long white strings which they said they received 
from General S* Clair, saying they were clean & they 
had kept them so. — N° 2 

Another young Chief rose and said, 
My older Brother, 

I am too young to speak ; but I will do what you 
desire of me — He presented several Papers. — 

An Ottowey Chief rose and said, 
My Older Brother, 

This is the first time you have seen me. Gen' S* 
Clair has seen me and spoke to me. — I have followed 
his advice. I am glad the sky is clear. I am indeed 
glad of it : We are all glad. I will tell my nation all 
I shall hear you say. — 



346 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

A Chief of the Eel-river Tribe rose and said, 
My Older Brother, 

I return thanks to the United States for what you 
have done. The hearts of us Indians are all placed 
on the left side : Therefore I fhake hands with the left 
hand. I fhall speak with my mouth but I Ihall tell 
you the sentiments of my heart. — My bed has been 
disturbed (aludingto Gen^ Wilkinsons Expedition.) — 
here he delivered two strings of black wampum. 
And took up two of white saying, N° 3 
My Older Brother, 

Now all darknefs is removed. The sky is clear 
and I can speak with chearfulnefs. The reason why 
we spoke by our brother of the Kaskaskies is because 
he is wise, & acquainted with the United States. 
Sometimes the younger Brothers have more sense 
than the Older. We expect the great Chief General 
Washington will smoke out of the good pipe pre- 
sented to you in behalf of our tribes, (pointing to the 
pipe on the Table) — And that he may see the smoak 
rise upwards out of it ; an effect produced by the 
clearnefs of the sky. — 
My older Brother, 

Fulfil what you have said on your part, & we will 
on ours. All our women and children will rejoice 
then. Perhaps the great Spirit is now looking down 
upon us. You told us he would be witnefs to every 
thing we did. Perhaps he is so now. We desire of 
you to make us known to General Washington and 
request of him to confirm all you have said. Continue 
as you have begun : Speak always the truth. Your 
Brothers will likewise do so. You have told us good 
things. You have desired us to bury the Tomhock. 
It is true we have made use of it, but it did not ori- 
ginate with us. It was sent to us by the nations who 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 347 

are now at war with you. We now bury it behind us 
in the Deep. The great Spirit sees we do it. — 
My Older Brother, 

Our Father the French never craved our Lands. 
Why fhould any person do otherwise. Perhaps were 
any person to rob us of our Lands it would provoke 
the great Spirit. It was he that placed us upon them. 
We think it best for you to live Yonder, with your 
faces towards us, and we to live here with our faces 
towards you. When we want to go to see you we 
can go thither ; & when you want to come & see us 
you can come hither. — 
My Older Brother, 

We are indeed glad you appointed this Council 
Fire for the place of our meeting. The road is now 
open for you & the nations of the Wabash to meet 
& see one another at this place. He shook hands & 
retired. — 

A chief of the Weaughtenows rose and said. 
My Older Brother, (leading up a Queen of his nation) 

I am to speak for this Queen. If I should say 
any wrong, I beg to be forgiven. I promised to the 
Commandant of this place, that when my father the 
American would come, I fhould come to speak to 
him of peace. This woman, who is my sister wishes 
that this land may no more be stained with blood. 
She desires you to keep at a distance. He then pre- 
sented for her four white strings. N° 4 

He next turned to the nations and desired them to 
take pity on their women and children. To respect 
peace, that they might live, as they formarly did ; 
and he retired. — 

Another Chief of the same nation rose and said. 
My Older Brother, 

I shall take hold of this great Chiefs hands with 



348 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

both mine, for I rejoice at what he has told us. Then 
taking hold of Gen^ Putnams hands he went on. — 

I believe sincerely what you have said. I am a 
great war Captain. I confirm the Speech which Du- 
coigne delivered for us at our request. 
My Older Brother 

The great Spirit made you. Perhaps we are sprung 
from the Fish (fhook hands saying) 

I can say with truth I never struck the white Peo- 
ple. — 
My Older Brother, 

This has always been a place where we have af- 
sembled to counsel, and it is to remain so. Our 
Ancestors have prepared this place for that purpose. 
Much businefs of importance has been transacted 
here. — And now, perhaps, those who are dead & 
buried beneath where we are sitting look up to us. — 
My Older Brother, 

The great Spirit placed us upon this land. I hope 
therefore we will enjoy it in peace. Do not any more 
set fire to our Towns. The French never did so. — 
My Older Brother, 

You have rendered us all happy. We thank you 
for all the good words you have spoken to us. We 
expect you will render us still more so, before you 
leave us. — I have no reason to fear I never hurt 
anybody. — (fhook hands & retired.) — 

A Kekapoo Chief rose with a long Pipe adorned 
& lit, which he held to the General to smoke out of 
it, and then handed it round the council in cere- 
mony. — He then said, 
My Older Brother, 

I am young and cannot speak loud. I am of the 
same mind with my older Brothers who have spoken. 
It was they who put me in the right road. — 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 349 

My Older Brother, 

Out of this Pipe of Peace many have smoked. 
Observe how the smoke rises up straight in the sky. 
— It is a token that everything will be clear. I ex- 
pect the great Chief General Washington will smoke 
out of it. — Every thing now has the appearance of 
peace. It is true there has been blood spilt on the 
Wabash. We hope it will never more be the case. — 
My Older Brother, 

The sentiments of our tribe have been made known 
to you already by our Brother Ducoigne. I have 
only to add, that since on both sides there are foolish 
people, it is best for us to live at a distance. — I wish 
you to remain on the other side of the Ohio ; But yet 
we wish to have a trade with you. — 
My Older Brother 

Since we have met together for the purpose of 
speaking with one another: and of establishing a 
peace. We ought to speak our sentiments freely and 
do the businefs compleatly. — 

(He then shook hands and retired) — 

A Peorian Chief rose, shook hands & said. 
My Older Brother, 

I come in to speak the last, and may be compared 
with a Stearsman. I shall therefore act as such and 
keep the Perogiie straight. 
My Older Brother, » 

I am glad the sky is clear. While you spoke my 
heart was glad. I am now truely rejoiced. I take 
fast hold of the United States, as I do of your two 
hands. — fhook hands with fervour. — 
My Older Brother, 

I hope the land will be as clear as the sky : and 
the fires in every Vilage will burn bright. — 

He presented three short white strings N° 5 



350 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

My Older Brother, 

Continue as you have begun. Wipe off all the 
stains. Make our women & children happy. What- 
ever you do this with will please them, and they 
and our children will gather it up. — Consider our 
poverty. — And send us something for our women 
and children every spring. — He retired. 

A Peankeshaw Chief rose and jocosely said, 

The great Chief, who has spoken to us wants 
peace and I want a wife. If he will give me a wife I 
will give him peace. Then 

He shook hands heartily and went on. 
My Older Brother, 

I am of the same way of thinking with my brothers 
here who have spoken already. — Our Ancestors 
were buried here and this is the proper place for us 
to speak in. — 
My Older Brother. 

You have called us from a-far ; And since we 
came you have rejoiced our hearts. We hope you 
will consider the want of our women and children 
before you leave us ; for we are all very poor 
My Older Brother, 

I agree with those who spoke before me, that 
the Whites should remain on the other side of the 
Ohio. 

He delivered two white strings, and retired. — N° 6 

General Putnam then rose and said, 
Brothers. 

I have listened to all you have said. I have trea- 
sured it up in my heart. — To-morrow I shall give 
you an answer. — 

Brothers, We shall now drink a glafs and retire till 
to-morrow. 

Adjourned at 3 O Clock afternoon. — 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 351 

In Council 10 OClock forenoon 26*^ Sepf 
A Chief of the Powtowattemows rose and said, 
I desire my Father the American and all my 
Brothers to pay attention to what I am going to 
say. 

When I received the mefsage that a great Chief 
would arive here from the United States ; And that he 
wished to speak to us, I expected the businefs would 
be of another nature, not that I find it to be. I did 
not expect that we would spend our time in speak- 
ing of Land, as I find the case to be — I have often 
been asked by the British to sell them Land, but 
Merchandize never tempted me — I never yet have 
hearkened to thofe who came to speak of buying 
Lands — I foresaw, that if I parted with my land, I 
should reduce the Women and Children to weeping 
— If your Land was dear to You, why did You give 
it away — Were my Father to meet me on my ground, 
I would give him a better treatment — Then turn- 
ing to General Putnam, he said : My Father 

I never took the Tomhock of the British all last 
War — The French and Spaniards desired me never 
to take it against the United-States, but to live in 
Peace with them — It is my Intention — You see the 
Sky is clear ; — And since we all wish that every one 
were happy, and every stain wiped off the ground ; 
and the Blood washed away : let us join together 
and bury the Tomhock forever — Let all past mis- 
chief be forgotten. 

(He shook hands and turning to the Tribes said) 
You know I have no complaints to make to the 
United-States for lost Women and Children as you 
have — Whenever I went to War, it was again 
against my own colour — Alter Your Conduct — Let 
the Tomhock remain forever hurried — Have pity 



352 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

on Your Women and Children — Chiefs, encourage 
Your Young Men to Peace ! — Young Men Hsten to 
Your Chiefs ! — Hearken to each other, and alsist 
one another in that which is good. 

He next took up two white Strings, and said he 
was to speak the sentiments of the Musquetons 
Tribe, whose Chiefs, (tho' present) were bashful ; re- 
questing of the General not to be offended if they 
said anything that might be disagreeable. — 
He took one of thefe Chiefs forward, and shaking 
hands began. 

I shall always do as my own Father has done, 
who lived in Peace with the White People — I think 
as all good Men ought to do — I live on my own 
River quietly by Hunting ; and my Women are em- 
ployed in raising Corn — The French who always 
pafs through my Country, shew Charity to the 
Women and Children — I wish it may always re- 
main so — My Heart is pleased at what you have 
said — It is placed where Decoign's is — I shall do 
as he does. 

(: Presented two white strings and shook hands :) 
No 7. 

He then brought forward the other Chief and said. 
My Father 

Altho / never went to War on You, yet because 
You sent for me, I came — I will hearken and pay 
evry attention to all You have said, and what You 
may say to me ; and carry Your Words to my Vil- 
age. — Shook hands & presented 2 strings. N° 8 

A Young Chief of the Potawattemows rising, said : 
My Older Brother ! 

I agree to all that has been said by Ducoigne — I 
have heard Your Sentiments and my Heart is glad 
— I will report them in my Village — I now salute 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 353 

You, and form an acquaintance with You — (pre- 
sented 2 white Strings) N° 9 

The Tribes having now said all they had to say 
at the opening of this days Council ; and all being 
seated : General Putnam rofe, and made the follow- 
ing Speech. 

Brothers of the Eel-River &•= as before 
After You had lit the Pipe of Peace Yesterday, you 
told me that the Sky was very clear — That we now 
would Smoke together, and should observe that the 
Smoke would ascend straight upwards — You then 
gave me the Pipes, and desired me to present them 
to our great Chief General Washington, that he 
might also smoke out of them. 
Brothers 

You next told me : that You had desired Your 
Younger brother to speak the sentiments of all the 
Nations present — You said that altho' he was 
Young, he was capable of speaking best — I listened 
to him attentively ; and shall report all he has said 
to me ; and deliver the Belt you gave me, to the great 
Chief General Washington at the same time when I 
shall present the Pipes to him 
Brothers 

When we first met together the sky was indeed 
very clear as You had observed to me — but in the 
course of our Councill, I discovered a Cloud had 
arisen in some obscure part of the Sky, which pre- 
vented my understanding what You meant by part 
of what You had said to me. 
Brothers 

Let us understand one another right — You told 
me it was best for the White People to remain in 
their Country, and You in Yours — You said : as the 
Whites were a powerful People, they ought to live at 



354 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

a distance from You — You said, that the Americans 
had best remain on the other side of the Ohio. 
Brothers 

Speak plain that I may understand You, and there 
be no mistake made — Do you mean that we shall 
get up from this place and other Settlements on the 
Mifsisippi, and go over the Ohio ? Do you mean that 
this Garrison which is built for the Protection of the 
Settlement and Trade, shall be evacuated ? 
Brothers 

I have often heard that You had permitted Your 
Father the French to sit down on the Wabash River 
a great many Years ago, and had given him Lands 
to raife Corn on, and a range for his Cattle — I have 
since heard : that when Your Fathers Family had 
encreased, and you saw them so much crowded : 
that You then extended their limits, so that they 
might have land enough to raise Corn, and Range 
enough for their Cattle — I also heard that the cafe 
was nearly the same with the other Settlements on 
the Mifsisippi. 
Brothers 

Let me inform You, that the United-States are 
bound to protect all its subjects — And since their 
Alliance with France, are become as one People. 
They live not only here in this place together ; but 
are so throughout the United-States. 
Brothers. 

The United-States do not want to take away Your 
lands — When You become their true Friends, they 
will become Your Protectors — They will protect You 
in your lands, and in your Hunting — They will never 
take any of Your lands away from You, against your 
consent. But if at any time You should wish to sell 
any of them, they will buy them of You honestly. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 355 

Brothers 

When the White People give away a thing, they 
never ask for it back again — And what they have 
once sold, they never any more look upon it as theirs 
Brothers 

I now desire You to inform me, how far your lands 
extend up and down the Ohio. I wish also to know 
how much land You have given to the French at this 
place. I wish to know the grants and Sales you have 
made to the Settlements on the Mifsisippi. 
Brothers. 

You have wise men among You — These will 
consult one another on these weighty matters, and 
give me a plain Answer. (Strings of white Wam- 
pum) 

The above being Interpreted by the Interpreters 
of the respective tribes, General Putnam requested of 
all those [who] felt themselves interested to return a 
direct answer to which they agreed. — 
Adjourned at 2 OClock. 

In Council Afternoon — 

Ducoigne rose with two strings of white Wampum, 
shook hands and addrefsed himself to the Tribes : 
saying. 
Brothers, 

This is not a new thing for us to meet to counsil 
together It has been the custom of our Ancestors 
always. 

Then turning to General Putnam, fhook hands and 
said. — 
My older Brother, 

Be afsured all the Chiefs here present rejoice at 
what you have said. — All the Chiefs have put into 
my mouth the Answer I am to give you. It is not our 
intention that any persens settied on this side the 



356 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Ohio, should move away. — Our request is that no 
other settlement fhall be made. — 
My older Brother, 

Consider, were [we] to sell the graves of our An- 
cestors would not he who gave us life, and placed us 
on these lands be displeased. I believe there is no 
son so unworthy of his Ancestors as to sell the graves 
they are buried in. Were we to sell our lands, we 
must sell their graves : and the Game which affords 
us daily subsistance. — We, therefore, wish you never 
to take our lands by force. — There is nothing will 
prevent a lasting peace and friendship between us 
but your attempting to take our Land from us. Ful- 
fil what you have said — Why would I make a new 
handle for the Axe ? I know it would be impofsible 
for us to overcome you in the end. And we believe 
you have no intention of destroying us. — 
My older Brother, 

We have already informed you that our Ancestors 
lighted the fire here first. We are glad now that you 
have made it up anew. — 
My older Brother, 

We all wish you to make known to Gen^ Wash- 
ington all we have said, and all we have to say 
yet. — 

The whole you will see is ; that by leaving us our 
Lands you secure to yourselves our friendfhip. — We 
do not wish you to be strangers to us. We wish to 
be your good Neighbours and you to send Traders 
among us, to furnish us for our wants as the French, 
English and Spainards have done. — The white Peo- 
ple cloath their women and children ours are running 
naked. Take pity on them & send something every 
spring to make them glad. — 
He delivered two strings, and introduced a Young 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 357 

Chief of the Peankashaw tribe, who held two strings 
of old grey Wampum ; saying, N° 10 

You see this Wampum. It represents the bones of 
our Forefathers, who have been dead long ago. — It 
shows our poverty. You have it in your power to 
make us happy. — 

He delivered the Wampum. — N° 1 1 

Then addrefsing the Indians said, 
You who live near the British, shut your ears to all 
bad things they may tell you. — Never listen to any 
things they may say to you about the Axe. — If 
they have a mind to quarrel with our brothers of the 
United States, let them settle that among them- 
selves. — 

(Shook hands with Gen^ Putnam) — 
Our throats are dry. A dram would not hurt us. 
And after that we will retire to eat. — 

A Chief of the Weaughtenows rose & said, 
Our Wampum is almost expended ; and it seems the 
businefs is near a close. You have got our senti- 
ments in your hands. — They are all true. — 
My older Brother, 

I am indeed happy that we have met and have 
made an acquaintance together. — We have said a 
great deal, but it all tends to peace — You know 
jelousies are occasioned by many things. — We hope 
every cause is now removed. — We want Traders 
among us, who will supply us with our wants : And 
we hope you will always find something that will 
make our women and children comfortable. — 
My older Brother, 

We hope you and the French are as one. — we 
wish it to be so. — 

He shook hands with General Putnam and then 
recommended peace to all the Tribes. — 



358 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

And shaking hands with a Powtowattemow Chief 
said, 

We and you live on the Wabash. — We are glad 
you join with us in peace ; and retired. — 

The General returned an answer to the Tribes 
thus, 
Brothers, 

I have but little to say this time. All the difficul- 
ties are now removed except that the Bounds have 
not been defined, but as that concerns but a few of 
you, I will not detain others on that account. — I 
have no doubt but the great Spirit, who witnefses 
every transaction will direct us to do this with har- 
mony and contentment to all parties. — We will 
meet to-morrow to transact the main part of the 
treaty — 

Let us now drink a Dram. — 

Adjourned in the Afternoon late. — 

In Council at lo OClock forenoon 2j^^ Sept' — 

A Peankeshaw Chief rose, shook hands and said, 
My older Brother, 

This is the first time I ever met in council with 
my brothers of the United States. I fhall now inform 
you what has pafsed between our Ancestors and the 
French. — I am positive my brother the Tobacco 
and the other Chiefs have long since given a quantity 
of Land to the French. — We have given to the 
French the land between Cut-point above the Post 
and white River below the Post, with as much on 
each side of the Wabash as there is between those 
two marks. We have not only given this land to 
them for themselves only, but also for them, their 
children and children's children forever. — 
My older Brother, 

We know nothing of your measures, but depend 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 359 

we are not come to play, and be laughed at. — We 
have had this writing and signed it— And it is to 
these writings we refer for the truth. — I speak the 
sentiments of all of us present. — 

Another Chief of the same tribe rose and said, 
My older Brother, 

Be afsured I never have, nor ever will forget the 
French. — They are our friends. — They always 
have furnished us with our wants. — We and They 
have lived to gether — Our Ancestors and theirs are 
hurried together — What we have given them must 
remain forever theirs. 
My Older Brother 

I recommend this matter to You, to General Wash- 
ington, and to the United States — When the French 
first came here, we opened the Roads for them — 
We gave them Lands, and they must never be taken 
from them — He shook hands and said. 
My Older Brother 

I hope You will regard and keep the writings 
sacred which we gave the French — Writings, when 
they are justly executed never Lye — Let them 
therefore be respected -^ (shook hands and retired) 

Ducoigne rofe and said ; presenting a Young Chief 
My Older Brother 

Here is a Young Chief whose Father was killed by 
the People of Kentucky, while he carried them Meat 

— Nothwithstanding this, he gives You his hand, and 
forgets the crime. He is my Relation. I wish you 
would give him a Recommendation from your hand 

— His Sister is not here, but she will come shortly 
from the Illinois. 

The Chief retired and Ducoigne continues : 
My Older Brother. 

You have heard our sentiments, and those of the 



36o OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

great Chief Tobacca — Evry one present know they 
are true — tho some are dead, yet they direct us to 
confirm what they gave to the French, (shaking 
hands went on) 
My Older Brother 

I was the first who took You by the hand — all the 
others have done so since. 
My Older Brother 

Our Father the French never took any land from 
Us on the Mifsisippi. I hope you will do as he did 
• — I never will tell lies, neither will / take anything 
from another — Tell General Washington what I 
have said — When we hear from him, we will open 
our Ears wider. 
My Older Brother 

You know what lands I have given to the French 
on the Mifsisippi — You know what lands I have 
given to the Americans 
My Older Brother 

I expect everything will go well — Report all that 
has been done and said between us, to the great 
Chief General Washington — Let us have a Confir- 
mation from him, of what has been done — This is 
all we have to say. (shook hands fervently and re- 
tired :) 

General Putnam then rofe, laid the Belts at full 
length on a Stroud spread over the Table ; and after 
shaking hands with all present ; addrefsed them in 
the follow manner : 
Brothers ! 

We have been for some time past industriously 
employed in making Peace — I believe all parties 
are now agreed. 
Brothers 

The White People commit to writing what they 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 361 

transact, that the paper may speak when they are 
dead. Your custom is to record by Belts. We shall 
do it both ways. Here are now the Articles of the 
Treaty, to which if we agree ; we will subscribe our 
Names. I will now read it to You. 

(: Here come the Articles, which being unanimously 
agreed to :) General Putnam said : 
According to our custom, I will subscribe this in Your 
presence, and in the presence of the White People 
here. You will also sign it. 

(: They having signed the Articles of the Treaty :) 
General Putnam rofe, and delivered the following 
Speech to the Chiefs of the several Tribes. 
Brothers &*=*= as before. 

Listen to what I say. 

We have been for some Days past industriously 
engaged in a good Work, namely in establishing 
a Peace ; And we have happily succeeded thro' the 
influence of the great Spirit. 
Brothers 

We have wiped off the Blood — We have hurried 
the Hatchet on both sides ; and all what is past, shall 
be forgotten. (: takes up the Belts :) 
Brothers : 

This is the Belt of Peace, which I now present You 
in the Name of the United-States — This Belt shall 
be the Evidence of, and the Pledge for the perform- 
ance of the Articles of the Treaty of Peace, which we 
have concluded between the United-States and Your 
Tribes this day. 
Brothers 

Whenever You look on this Belt, remember that 
there is a perpetual Peace and Friendship between 
You and Us : And that You are now under the Pro- 
tection of the United-States. 



362 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Brothers 

We both hold this Belt in our hands — Here at this 
end the United-States hold it ; and You hold it by the 
other end — The Road, You see is broad, level and 
clear — We may now pafs to one another easy and 
without difficulty. 
Brothers 

The faster we hold this Belt, the happier we shall 
be — Our Women and Children will have no Occa- 
sion to be afraid any more — Our Young Men will 
observe, that their Wise Men performed a good 
Work. 
Brothers 

Be all strong in that which is good — Abide all in 
this path Young and Old ; and You will enjoy the 
sweetnefs of Peace. (: delivers the Belts :) 
And after some silence says 
Brothers 

I have brought some cloathing with me for Your 
Women and Children ; and some Amunition for 
Your young Men to hunt with ; which I shall distrib- 
ute among You, before You go away. 

Peace being now Proclaimed ; General Putnam in- 
formed them : that he should have a piece of Artiliry 
fired on the Occafion. and that he would fire the first ; 
and that each of thofe Chiefs who had received the 
Belts, should follow his Example. The General fired 
and the Indians, and white People joined the report 
with three cheers of acclamations. 

(: returned to the Council-house :) 
General Putnam now told them, thet he would give 
them Beeves, Bread & Whisky to Feast upon. 

(signed) WiLLM 'INTOSH sworn Clerk 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 363 

EXTRACTS OF INDIAN SPEECHES PER JOURNAL 

Page 5 — [344] N° I Weaughtenows 

2 Strings White Waumpum 
Page 6 [345] N° 2 — two young Chiefs of 

the Musquetons 4 long White 
[346] N° 3 Elle River 2 Strings 

Black waumpum — 
Page 9 — [347] No 4 Weaughtenow Queen 

4 white Strings 
page 1 1 [349] N*^ 5 — 3 Short White Strings 

Peorian Chief 



Page 12 ~ [350] N° 6 Peankelhaw Chief 

2 white Strings 

Page 13 — [352] N° 7 Musquetons 

2 white Strings 

page 14 [352] N° 8 Musquetons 

2 white Strings 

page 14 [353] N° 9 — Potawattemows 

2 white Strings 

Page 18 — [357] N° 10 ducoigne 

2 Strings 
[357] N° II — young Peankashaw 

2 Strings Gray Waumpum. 



COPY OF THE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE 
WABASH & ILLINOI INDIANS^ 

A Treaty of peace and Frindfhip, made and con- 
cluded between the Prelident of the United States of 
America, on the part of the Said States, and the Un- 

1 This treaty was not confirmed by the Senate, the fourth article being 
deemed particularly objectionable. For the legislative action concerning 
it, see the Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate, vol. i. pp. 
128, 134, 135, 144, 145, 146. 



364 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

deriigned Kings Chiefs and Warriours of the Wabafh 
and Illinoi, Indian Tribes on the part and behalf of 
Said Tribes. — 

The parties being delierous of ellablifhing per- 
minent Peace and frindfhip between the United 
States and the Said Indian Tribes, and the citizens and 
members thereof and to remove the caufes of War : 
The Prefident of the United States, by Rufus Putnam, 
Jud [g] e of the Teritory of the United States North- 
west of the River Ohio and Brigadier General in the 
Army, whome he hath vested with full powers for thefe 
purpofes : And the Said Wabafh and Illinoi Indian 
Tribes by the Underfigned Kings Chiefs and warri- 
ours reprefenting the Said Tribes have agreed to the 
following articles viz. — 

Article First 
There fhall be perpetual peace and frindfhip between 
all the citizens of the United States of America, and 
all the individuals, villages and tribes of the Said 
Wabafh and Illinoi Indians 

Article Second 
The Underfigned Kings, Chiefs and warriours for 
themfelves and all parts of there villages and Tribes, 
do acknowledge themfelves to be under the protection 
of the United States of America. And Stipulate to 
live in amity and frindfhip with them. — 

Article Third 
The Said Tribes Shall deliver as Soon as practicable 
to the Commanding officer at Fort Knox all citizens 
of the United States, white inhabitants or negroes 
who are now prifoners among any of the Said 
Tribes — 

Article Fourth 
The United States Solemnly guarantee to the Wa- 
bafh and Illinoi Nations or Tribes, of Indians all the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 365 

lands to which they have a just claim, And no part 
fhall ever be taken from them but by a fair purchafe 
and to their fatisfaction. That the lands oreginally 
belong to the Indians, it is theirs and theirs only, 
that they have a right to Sell and a right to refuse 
to Sell and that the United States will protect them 
in there Said just rights — 

Article Fifth 
The Said Kings Chiefs and Warriours, Solemly 
promise on their part that no further hollilities or 
depredations Shall be committed by them, or any 
belonging to the Tribes they reprefent, against the 
perfons or property of any of the Citizens of the 
United States : That the practice of Stealing Negroes 
and Horfes from the people of Kentucke and other 
inhabitants of the United States fhall forever here- 
after ceafe. That they will at all times give notice 
to the citizens of the United States, of any delignes 
which they may know, or fuspect to be formed in 
any neighbouring Tribe, or by any perfon what- 
ever, against the peace and intrest of the United 
States — 

Article Sixth 
In cafes of violence on the perfons or property of the 
individuals of either party, neither retaliation or re- 
prifal fhall be committed by the other, untill Sat- 
isfaction Shall have ben demanded of the party of 
which the aggrefsor is, and fhall have ben refused. — 

Article Seventh 
All animofities for past grievances fhall hence forth 
ceafe, and the contracting parties will carry the fore- 
going Treaty into full execution, with all good faith 
and Sincerity. — 

In Witnefs of all and every thing herein diter- 
mined between the United States of America and 



366 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the Villages and Tribes of The Underfigned Kings 
Chiefs & Warriours, the parties have hereunto Set 
their hands and Seals, at Post Vincent on the Wabalh 
river This twenty feventh day of September one 
Thoufand seven hundred ninety two 
Don in prefence of 
J. F. Hamtramcri 

B gen'- PUTNAMS speech to the INDIANS 

Brothers, 

I thank the great Spirit who has inclined our 
Hearts to do good ; and to establish a Peace be- 
tween You and the United States — 
Brothers 

Let us endeavour to restore Peace and happinefs 
to all as far as lies in our Power ; and for this pur- 
pofe I request that You will send a Speech to Your 
Neighbours the Miamis, Dellawares, Shawanos and 
other Tribes, who have hitherto stopped their Ears, 
and refused to Speak with the United States about 
Peace ; altho many Speeches have been sent to them 
for that purpofe — 
Brothers, 

I propose to send one Speech more requesting 
them to open a Road to some place or other, where 
we may meet and Speak to one another ; And I 
trust with Your afsistance, that the great Spirit will 
caufe this good Work to succeed — 

1 This copy of the Treaty, which is in General Putnam's script, bears 
no other signatures. On his separate list of the Signers of the Treaty 
there are the names of thirty-one Indian chiefs. The witnesses were 
eight oflScers of the First American Legion, H. Vanderburgh, John 
Heckewelder, two interpreters, and the clerk. There were present at 
the Council 686 Indians — men, women, and children. 







^F..rK.. 








GroMd QfL 






I 




XauUixi Q nn-inj '^ 'Jiy>u cJ>ve fi 



PLAN OF THE RIVER WABASH, 1792 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 367 

Brothers, 

Our great Chieff General Washington is very 
desirous to see a Number of Your Chieffs ; to take 
them by the hand and smoke the Pipe of Peace with 
them at his Councill fire — there to brighten the 
Chain of Friendship, and personally convince them 
of the goodnefs of his Heart, and show how strong 
he and all the great Chieffs of the United States 
hold You. 
Brothers, 

If You agree that one or two ChiefEs from each 
Tribe should visit the great Chieff General Washing- 
ton as I propofe : I shall provide for every expence 
of the Journey, and a fafe Convoy and accomoda- 
tion both going and returning — The rout will be 
from here to the Falls of Ohio by Land — thence by 
Water to Pittsburgh, and from thence by Land to 
Philadelphia. 
Brothers, 

If You listen to me in this, I have no doubt but 
You will find the interest and happinefs of Your 
Tribes greatly encreased, by the good things which 
the great Chief! will do further for You. 
Brothers, 

I wish You to take my Words into Consideration, 
and return me an Answer as soon as you have de- 
termined thereon. 
Spooken Sept 29th 1792 — 



368 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

SPEECH SENT TO THE DELLAWARES & OTHER TRIBES 

The Speech of Rufus Putnam Agent to General 
Washington for the purpofe of treating with the 
Indians North-west of the Ohio, and concluding 
a Peace with the Same — 

Brothers of the Dellawares, Shawnefe, Miamis, Wy- 
ondots, and all other Tribes inhabiting the Country 
on the Miamis & Sandusky Rivers, and on the 
Lake — 

The great Chieff of the United States, General 
Washington has sent since early in the Spring Mef- 
sages to You of Peace. And I who have come from 
this great Chief! and his Councill more than 4 Months 
ago, have also sent a Speech to You for that pur- 
pofe. 
Brothers 

After waiting a long time for Your Answer and 
not recieving any ; I was encouraged to speak to the 
Nations on the Wabash and Illinois Rivers ; and 
finding their Ears open, I held a Treaty with them 
at Tschubhicking (: Post Vincennes :) where we have 
hurried the hatchet, wiped off all the stains of Blood ; 
and concluded a firm and everlasting Peace. 
Brothers, 

I believe were You but once agreed to hear what 
I have to say to You, and should meet, see and 
hear me ; you would find that it would be for Your 
good. As long as we dont see and hear one an- 
other, but listen to the singing Birds which fly to 
and fro ; we are carried away with evry story, and 
not only remain Strangers to one another, but En- 
emys also. 
Brothers, 

Open Your Ears to the Truth — I speak from my 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 369 

Heart, not with my Lips only. I wish to see You 
happy — I wish a Peace estabUshed between You 
and the United States — I wish to see Your Woemen 
and Chilldren go to rest without fear, and Your 
young Men become industrious Hunters, so that You 
all Young and old may live comfortably. 
Brothers, 

All this can be the cafe if You chofe it. The United 
States dont mean to wrong You out of Your Lands 

— They dont want to take away Your Lands by force 

— They want to do You Justice. 
Now Brothers, 

I send You this my Speech by some of thofe who 
have been here at this great Treaty — They have 
seen and heard me, and are Witnefses to all what 
has pafsed between Us, and they will tell You the 
Truth. 
Brothers, 

When You have heard my Speech, and all what 
my Mefsengers have to say to You : I desire Your 
Wise Men to consider it well. The great and good 
Spirit will then convince them of the good Intentions 
of the United States, and that the Road is yet open 
to them to become a happy People — 
Brothers 

I desire You to send some of Your Wife Men with 
my Mefsengers to meet me at the Mouth of Muskin- 
gum, that we may see one another and speak to- 
gether before I return again to our great Chieff Gen- 
eral Washinton. I shall direct evry thing so, that 
You will have nothing to fear Arife then, come and 
see me, and let us shake hands with one another. 

Post Vincent 
October 6th 17^2 — 

A Belt. 



370 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

INSTRUCTIONS TO M"* WELLS 

Post Vincent September [October] 7th 1792 
Sir 

The Speech ^ you carry to the Indians fully informs 
you [of] the great object I have in view. If the Sev- 
eral tribes So far listen to my words as to Send Some 
of their Cheifs to Speeke with me at Muskingum, 
you, with Piankalhaws, will accompany theme to 
that place where I Shall wait your arrive! ; If you do 
not Succeed ; So far as to make it fafe to come to the 
mouth of Muskingum by land, I expect you will come 
into Fort Walhington (or Some other Station on the 
ohio) where you will find provilion made for Trans- 
porting you to Mufkingum. I wifh you to make all 
the expidition pofiable which the nature of the bufi- 
nefs will admit. I have great expectation that through 
the Influence of the Eel river Chiefs, and of Chiefs 
of the five fires which I expect are now among them, 
thefe tribes will lillen to terms of peace but whether 
they will or not is the fact I am extreamly anxious to 
know I mull therefore emprefs it on your mind that 
if pofsiable before you leave their country you afser- 
tain the matter, whether they will treat of peace with 
the united States or not 

I am fir your Ob 
MR ^^u Wells 

COPY OF LETTER TO GENERAL WILKINSON 

Fort Washington November 28»h 1792 
Sir 

you will pleafe to recollect that by my inllructions 
from the Secretary of War of May last. The whole or 
Such part of the Indian goods under the care of the 
Quarter Master at this post as you and I Should 

1 Page 368. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 371 

Jointly Judge proper ware to be put into the hands 
of Major Hamtramck to be distributed to the In- 
dians but under Such reflrictions as to prevent all 
abufe — 

It is my opinion Sir that all thofe goods Still re- 
maining at this post be forwarded to Major Ham- 
tramck at Post Vincent for the purpofes aforesaid — 
Except the following articls — viz 480^'' of Damaged 
Tobacco 14 old Hats, 21 old Bridles, 434^ yards of 
Linsey 3 pedes of black broad Cloath 10^ yards 
of black broad Cloath, 18 brafs kettles 98 Corn 
Hoes I peace of Black and blue Flanen [flannel], 
I peice yallow d° — i Bundle of Gartering Dam- 
aged — 

you will pleafe to let Major Hamtramck know that 
he will be held accountable for the goods put into 
his hands and that it is an inflruction from the Sec- 
retary at War, that either receipts from the party 
reciveing, or the certificate of a third perfon will be 
required as evidence of the delivery of goods to the 
Indian in all cafes whatever and Sir if your mind 
Suggests any additional chik [check] as his com- 
manding officer you will undoubtedly be justified in 
impofing it on him the circumflance of M*" Wells 
being in the Indian country you are well acquainted 
with. Should he come in to this post I must intreat 
you will Send him forward to Mulkingum with all 
Pofiable dispatch. 

COPY OF LETTER TO GEN"- KNOX 

Marietta December the 20* 1792 
Sir 

I have the honour to transmit to you the oreginal 
treaty of Peace ^ with Sundry tribes of Indians, 
1 Page 363. 



372 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Signed at post Vincennes the 27*^^ of September last 
of which Major Hamtramick forwarded a Copy by 
M"" Prior I alfo enclofe you, A Journal of the pro- 
ceedings during the negotiation,^ together with my 
Speech to the Indians on the 2g^^ of September ^ (in- 
viting them to Send a Speech to their hostile neigh- 
bours, &c — &c &c) and a Speech I Sent to the Delia- 
wares & other tribes Dated the 6*^ of October,^ with 
my inflructions to M"" Wells the Mefsenger ^ 

I am extreamly mortified that So much time has 
elapsed before it was in my power to forward thefe 
papers 

the circumllancs which has ocationed this delay 
are thefe. on the 25*^ of September I was taken with 
the ague and fevor which returned upon me every 
2^ day untill the 30*^ from which time the fitts re- 
turned every Day Succefsively for three days, and 
the fevor run So high as rendered me incapable of 
any buli [nefs] untill the 6*^ of October in which time 
Major Hamtramick thought proper to Send ofif the 
chiefs which on the 28* of Sep* departed [?] to go to 
Philadelphia befides it would not have ben proper 
to refque the oreginal treaty with M' Prior by land 
to the falls, for their was real danger not only from 
the hostile Indians but from parties of Militia who 
ware about that time frequently out in that quarter 
in purfute of Stolen horses 

on the 6**^ of October the feavor left me. althoe 
very weak and feable I Set out from Post Vincennes 
by warter for the falls of Ohio, on the 18**^ I was 
taken with a relaps of the Same disordr and it was 
the 29* before I got afhore at the falls haveing for 
12 days Suffered much being without any Phifictian 
or Medicen and no acommodation but what the 

1 Page 335. 2 Page 366. 8 Page 368. * Page 370. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 373 

Barge afforded — after arriving at the falls my dis- 
order returned So that I was not able to leve there 
until! the 19^*^ of November, when the fits being 
partly broke I Set out, and fortunately I have had 
but two fits Sence. but from haveing bad oars men 
the State of the warter and Shortnefs of the days I 
was not able to reach this place untill the 18*^ in- 
ftent. — 

you will obferve by my Speech of October 6th 
Sent to the Dellawars & others, that I invite them to 
Send Some of their wife men with my Mefsengers 
to the mouth of Muskingum, confidering the State 
of my health at the time I Sent the Speech, the Sea- 
fon of the year and other circumllances I confidered 
this as the most proper place to invite them to and 
this being Ditermined on, made it necefsary for M"^ 
Hackenwelder to Stop here ; for althoe he has ben 
of very efential Service to me in carrying on the 
negotiations below, yet if the Dellawares &c &c 
come in to this place his prefence would be much 
more necefsry as he is the only interpreter of there 
language within my reach But So much time has 
elapsed Sence I Sent my Talk from Vincennes as 
before mentioned, that I have no hope of the remain- 
ing hostile tribs Istining to peace, yet I concive it 
necefsary for me to waite Some time longer for M'' 
Wells and the Indian' Chief who went with him for 
if they are not murdered they certainly will be here 
as Soon as pofiable whether they Succeed in per- 
fuaiding the Dellawares &c &c to accompany them 
or not however if I hear northing from them before 
the 10*^ or 15*^ of January I Shall my Self with M' 
Hackingwelder Set out for Philadelphia 

you will obferve that by the fourth article of the 
Treaty the United States Guarantee to the Indians 



374 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

all the lands to which they have a Just Claim. I 
chofe this general mode of expretion becaufe I was 
not furnifhed with documents to afsertain the lands 
they have given away or otherwife disposed of, & 
alfo becaufe I concived it most agreable to my in- 
llructions haveing before the Signing the treaty good 
reafon to beleve I Should perfuaid them to Send a 
deputation to Philadelphia — (the tract on the Wa- 
balh river which they [declared] in the proceeding 
of the 26*^ of September to have ben given to the 
french is at least 50 mile Square) 

Your favor of the 7**^ of August,^ I met with at 
Fort Wafhington the 26*'' of November on my return 
up the river, their must have ben Some Delay in for- 
warding this letter to Fort Wafhington, or otherwife 
it would have reached me before the opening of the 
treaty (which would have given me great Satisfac- 
tion) however I am happy to find I had anticipated 
your wiflies ; my motives for doing of which was 
fully explained in my letter to you of July 22*^2 
the remaining Indian [goods] which I left at Fort 
Wafhington in august as ware Sutable for the pur- 
pos I requested Gen' Wilkenson to forward to Major 
Hamtramick 

Should the two Interpreters who came on with M' 
Prior be Settled with before I come to Philadelphia 
they must be charged with monies advanced by 
Major Hamtramck on my account and recepted for 
to me as follows viz. Myah or Malliot Seventy Seven 
Dollars Jacko or Dumais fifty nine Dollars — 

1 Page 313. 2 Page 301. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 375 

COPY OF LETTER TO GEN^' WAYNE 

Marietta December 21st 1792 
Sir 

Your favor of the 6*^ of August ^ reached me at 
Vincennes, but I have not had it in my power to ac- 
knowledge the receipt of it untill now — When M' 
Prior left Vincennes I was fcarcely able to Speek, 
much lefs to write, and Sence that time untill the 
Eighteenth inllent I have ben either confined by 
Sicknefs on the way or purfuing my Journey to this 
place. What pafsed at Vincennes untill M'" Prior fet 
out, I defired Major Hamtramck to communicate 
both to you and the Secretary at War — on the f^ of 
October I Sent a Speech to the Dellawars and other 
hostile tribes inviteing them to Send Some of their 
wife men to this place to Speek with me on the Sub- 
ject of peace, but I hear northing from them yet Nor 
have I ever had much expectation that they would 
harken to the invitation. I Shall however wait to the 
iQth or 15 of January and then Set out for Philadel- 
phia, and endevor to convince, as far as my Opinion 
and Influence extend, all the advocates for Treaties 
that northing but a Sevear whiping will bring thefe 
proud Savages to a Sence of there intrest 
I have the honour to be Sir 
with much refpect your 
humble Servant 
Maj' Gen* Wayne 

COPY OF LETTER TO GEN'' WAYNE 

^j,. PiTTS-BuRGH Jany 21st 1793 

when I left Mulkingum it was my intention if prac- 
ticable to have come, at leaft, as far as Legion Ville 

1 Page 311. 



376 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

by water, but on my arrivel at Buffaloe, I found my- 
felf So unwell, and the wether So threatening that 
I dare not make the attempt. I am very forry that I 
am disappointed of the honour of paying my re- 
fpects to you in perfon at this time ; but the ill State 
of my health at prefent and the wifh I have to be at 
Philadelphia as Soon as Pofiable must appologize 
for my not makeing Tour from this place to Legion 
Ville — 

I have heard northing from below Sence I wrote 
you by Maj Swan M^ W"" Wells who I Sent with fome 
Eel Creek Chiefs to the hoflile tribes with a Speech 
Dated at Post Vincent the 6*^ of October I fear has 
Sheared the fate of poor Truman for other wife he 
would have ben at Muskingum before I left it ^ the 
only hope I have is that he may have made his efcape 
back to Post Vincent by Some means or other ben 
detained by the way, & if So he may yet be expected 
up the River on his way to Philadelphia, and agreably 
to my inflructions left for him at Muskingum will 
wait on your excellency. But whether he be dead or 
alive, confident I am that the tribes to whome he was 
Sent have not listened to the v [o] ice of peace, nor do 
I beleve they ever will untill they get a good whiping. 
Much is Said in Some late papers of there dispofition 
to treat &c &c. from what authority I know not, but 
I am much mifstaken in my conjecturs if it dos not all 
oreginate from a Defigne to impofe on govement, 
and induce them to relax in there meafures for profe- 
cuting the war with vigour. I fhall be happy to find 
myfelf Mifstaken but northing fhort of the event will 
ever convince me that I am fo. for admit that the 
Britifh goverment wifh the Indians to be at peace with 

1 William Wells was not killed, but the Indians to whom he was sent 
would not consider the peace overtures. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 377 

us and admit that the Indians have made propofitions 
to treat with us agreably to what has ben publifhed 
in the News paprs, yet while I know they are under 
the influence of the greatest Villens in the world, I 
Shall doubt their Sincerrity in every propolition of 
the kind they Shall make, unlefs accompaned by cir- 
cumllances which do not exist in the prefent cafe, 
when they fhall propofe a proper time & place for 
holding a treaty : and give us Hostags for the Se- 
curity of the Commifions who fhall venture beyond 
the protection of our army to treat with them, I 
fhall begin to think they are in earnest; and not 
before — 

If M'' Wells arrivs I must requst that you will give 
ordor for his being Afsisted in his Journey to Phila- 
dlphia 

LETTER FROM GEN^ KNOX J 

War-department, Feby nth 17^3, 
Sir. 

I beg leave to request to be informed, by you, in 
what fenfe the Fourth Article of the Treaty, made by 
you, with the Wabash Indians, on the 27th day of 
September 1 792 was underflood by you, and by them, 
at the time of forming the fame — That is, whether 
it was underflood, that any other power, than the 
United States, had the right of purchafmg when the 
indians fhould be difpofed to fell their lands ? 

I am Sir, 

with great refpect, 
Your very humble Serv* 
H Knox 
Secy of War 
Brigadier General 
RuFus Putnam. 



V 



378 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

ANSWER TO gen'' KNOX LETTER 

(Copy) Philadelphia 

February iiti» 1793 

Sir 

In answer to your question of this day ^ I reply that 
it was never contemplated by me, nor the Indians 
who met me in council at Vincennes that the United 
States conceded to them any right to fell their lands 
to any other power then the Goverment of the 
Union, under whofe protection they then freely ac- 
knowledged themselves to be 

I am Sir With great respect 

Y^ Most ob ferv* 

R. Putnam 
Hon^i^ Gen^ Knox 



LETTER TO GEN*- KNOX 

Feby 13'h, 1793 
Sir 

in explination of the proceedings of the Council at 
Vincens Sep* 1792^ of my letter of November [De- 
cember] 20*^^ 1792^ and of my Certificet of Feb^ 6*^^ 
1793 I beg leve to obferve as the Chiefs did not 
exprefs them Selves clearly in council with refpect 
to the lands they had given away or Sold, I made 
it a point to enquire of Some principle Chiefs with re- 
fpect to a Sale made to Louis Viviatte * and others, 
and was informed (by Rene Codert) an inhabitent of 

1 Page 377. 

2 Page 335. 
8 Page 371. 

* In the original manuscript the name Louis Viviatte is not in General 
Putnam's script. In 1775 Louis Viviat, acting as agent for the Wabash 
Land Company, obtained a deed from eleven Piankeshaw chiefs for a 
tract of more than thirty-seven million acres. See Dillon's History of 
Indiana, pp. 104-109. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 379 

Vincens and an Adopted Chief among the Pianke- 
ftiaws, and by W°^ Wells, who has previous to June 
last refided eight or nine years with the Eel Creek and 
is an adopted Chief in that tribe (both Sworn inter- 
preters at the Treaty) that the Indians disclaimed the 
Validity of that pretended Sale, alledging that it was 
don by those who had no right to Sell, that none by 
the Piankefhaws recived the pay or ware concerned 
in the bufinefs and that the lands belonged to all the 
Wabafh Tribes in Common 

RuFus Putnam 



COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN'' KNOX 

Philadelphia Feby 14'h 1793 
Sir 

In looking over my former communications I find 
I have made no official report, relative to the Indian 
prifoners which I reflored, the Cloathing distributed 
at the Treety, nor the Silver ornements which I re- 
cived from you ye 22°^ of May 1792. I therefore con- 
fider it my duty to prefent you the enclofed papers 
and beg leve to make the following remarks. — 

I arrived at Vincens the 12*^ of September with 
all the women & Children who had ben prifoner at 
Fort Wafhington on the 13*^ the Eel Creek and 
Weauchtenos aflembled when I rellored to them 
there frinds and delivered the Speech ^ contained in 
the inclofure N° i — there Speeches on the ocation was 
not taken down : but they all ware exprefsive of there 
gratitude, and I am fully convinced that this uncon- 
ditional act of generosity on the part of the united 
States had a great influence in produceing that con- 
fidence in the American goverment which appears in 

1 Page 333. 



38o OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

their Speeches in council, and of induceing them to 
Send a number of there Chiefs to Philadelphia — 

The Cloathing taken on for the treaty was receipted 
for to the Quartermaster at Fort Wafhington By Capt 
Peters who Commanded the efcort and delivered at 
Vincens to M"" Jofeph Baird a perfon I heard recom- 
mended by Major Hamtramck for the purpus of take- 
ing charge of the Same and delivering it agreably to 
such orders as he Should recive. — 

The enclofure N° 2 contains an abflract of the De- 
liveries of cloathing agreably to certain papers put 
into my hands by M"" Beard the day before I came 
away, on which I wrote to Major Hamtramck as 
follows — 

"Post Vincennes October 9th 1792 
"Sir 

Neither time nor the State of my health will per- 
" mit me to examin the account of M'' Beard to See 
" whether the Delevery of goods to the Indians, and 
" thofe remaining on hand corifpond with the invoice 
" of goods he recived of Capt Peters. I must there- 
" fore refer this bufinefs to you for Settlement, as alfo 
" the affair of powder and lead, purchased of Major 
" Vanderburgh for the Indians, and put in your Mag- 
" gazean — 

" I have to request that you will recive the re- 
" maining Indian goods from M"" Beard and distribute 
" them to frindly Indians from time to time accord- 
"ing to your discretion — I have the honour to be 
" &c &c 

RuFUS Putnam 

on this abflract, I beg leve to obferve farther, that it 
appears there was a greater number recived Blankets 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 381 

then ware included in the provifion return for any one 
day of the Treety this may be accounted for partly 
by the cloathing deliv[ere]d to the Illinoi Indians for 
there wives who ware not prefent & partly for the 
cloathing delivered for the Infirm, both women & 
Children of the Eel Creeks, Weauchtenos and Pian- 
kefhaws who did not attend the treaty, but this is 
partly conjectural as I was not able to attend the 
delivery my felf, but left it to Major Hamtramck — 
on the enclofure N*' 3 I obferve that none of the or- 
nements ware delivered to the Chiefs who came to 
Philadelphia becaufe I concived they would be pre- 
fented with Something of the kind by the Prefident 
or your felf & they ware given to underfland that 
they might expect it, befides as I was Still purfuing 
meafures to Speek with the Dellawars, & other Hostile 
tribs I thought it necefsary to referve the principle 
part of the Silver ornements, untill there high Mighti- 
nefses might agreably to my Speech Sent from Vin- 
cens Speek with me if they pleafed — 

P S. I engaged M"" W" [Wells] as an Interpreter at 
one dollar per day from July 14 1792, and befides his 
wages when he left Vincenne the 7*^ of October to 
carry my Speech to the Dellaware &c I promifed to 
allow him and his companions 300 Dols and if he 
Succeeded So far as to induce the Chiefs of the hostile 
tribes to Send a deputation to Muskingum I engaged 
to encres this to 500 Dollar — 



382 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 



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384 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN KNOX 

Philadelphia February 14th 1793 
Sir 

you know the motives that induced me to accept 
of an appointment in the army last May, and be 
afsurd I Entertain the Same refpect for the Prefi- 
dent of the United States now as I did at that time, 
nor have I lefs encHnation to Serve my Country in 
any compatible with my Situation — But from age 
and infermeties efpecially Sence my long Sicknefs 
the last year, I find my Self unable to under go the 
fateagus and hardfhips incident to a Military life — I 
therefore herewith enclofe my Commifsion of Brig- 
adier Gen^ and request that I may be discharged 
from further Servis in the army of the United Stats 
I have the honour to be 

with all pofiable affection 
Sir your most obed"* 
humble Serve* 

TO GENL KNOX 

Philadelphia April 1793 
Sir 

At the request of M"^ Mathews I beg leve to fubmit 
a few obfervations to your confideration refpecting [?] 
Some works erected at Gallipolis by Mefsers Mathews 
& Bodwell 

When I was at Gallioplis on my way down the 
River last June I examined the Situation of the place 
and am clearly of opinion that the New Block houfe 
and Stockade and the repair of the old one or fome 
other additional work more extencive was abfolutely 
necefsary for the reception of the inhabitants and 
accommodation of the Troops who have Sence occu- 
pied them in cafe of an attack, which there was 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 385 

every reafon to apprehend might Soon take place 
after the Defeat of Gen^ S* Clare the people without 
Some place to repair to where they might combine 
there force must in all probability have fall [en] a 
Sacrefife — 

I am told Mathews and Bodwells ace* is objected 
to becaufe they Began the work before any conti- 
nantal troops arrived and without authority from any 
public officer. I beg leve to obferve that General 
S* Clare did make an arrangement imediately after 
his Defeat, to post troops at Gallipolis and had it 
not ben for Some Mifsconftruction of ordors either 
Haskel or Tillinghast must have ben there before 
the commencement of thefe works ; and had they 
arrived they could not remain without cover, nor 
ought they or any officer to have remained any time 
with out puting the place in a State of Defence — 
for besids the Security of the troops which it would 
be his duty to provide for what protection could a 
Small Detachment afford to the Settlem [en] t with- 
out Securing a Small part of the village by Stock- 
ade as an asilum to the Inhabitants in cafe of an 
attack. 

I am fenciable of the propriety of a previous ordor 
from the Secretary at war or fome public officer to 
authorize Such kind of expences, but can not the 
Secretary at war as well Judge of the propriety of 
the mafure now as before the work was don. if it be 
faid the inhabitant [s] ought to be at the expence of 
their own fortification, and for the Troops, they might 
have covered themfelves — I anfwer I am fiare the 
Secretary at War will never make this objection, he 
is too fensiable of the distrefs and fiaflering, of a 
Frontier Settlem [en]t to impofe Such a Tax on them, 
efpecial the French Settlers at Gallipolis & there are 



386 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

few others ther. if then it is in your power to au- 
thorize the liquedation of this ace* I hope you will 
do it and not fuffer an expence to fall on thefe two 
men who from my perfonal knowledge are ill able to 
bear it — 

LETTER FROM COL° PICKERING 

General Post Office 

Philadelphia May 24. 1794. 
Dear Sir. 
\/ It is proposed to attempt the carriage of a mail 

from Pittsburg to Wheeling by land, and thence 
by water to Limeftone.^ From Limeflone by a new 
road on the fouthern fide of the Ohio to the mouth of 
Licking, opposite to Fort Washington, where it will 
crofs over. From Limellone the mail will be carried 
thro' the Hate of Kentuckey ; the poll-road thro' the 
Wildernefs, in this case, to be discontinued. — I have 
given directions to have three boats conflructed 
for the purpose, to be formed in the befl manner 
for ease and expedition, in pushing up flream, to be 
managed by five hands each. I hope they will be run- 
ning fome time in June. 

Marietta will be a llation for the boats to Hop at 
as they pafs ; and doubtlefs it will be convenient to 
have a pofl-office there. Herewith I send a packet 
addrefsed to you, to be put into the hands of the 
person you judge mofl suitable for poflmaster. He 
will there fee the forms in which the businefs is to be 
transacted, with which he fhould make himfelf ac- 
quainted. The law now fent will expire in a few days ; 
it is fubstantially the fame as the new law, as to the 
regulations. The latter will be forwarded when pre- 
pared. — The person you designate for poflmaster 
fhould be careful and trusty, and there will be an 

1 Maysville. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 387 

advantage in having one whose residence will be 
near the Landing place of the mail boats. 

The advantages of regular mail will be fo great to 
your fettlement, I am fure you will omit nothing to 
fecure them. 

I am with respect & esteem 
P. S. I suppose a dear fir, 

pofloffice may be Your moft obed* ferv* 

eligible at Gallipolis : TIMOTHY PICKERING 

for which reason I 
send a second packet 
addrefsed to you, to 
be disposed of as you 

think fit. You will be fo good as to favor me with 
an answer as loon as pofsible 
General RuFUS Putnam 

Marietta. 

LETTER FROM COL PICKERING 

General Post Office June 7 1794 
Sir 

I wrote you on the 24th ult° ^ & sent two packages, 
for the establishment of post-offices at Marietta and 
Gallipolis. Major Craig informs me that the mail- 
boats which are preparing at Pittsburg will soon be 
ready. I supposed their crews would have been en- 
gaged there : but Major Craig writes me, that he 
had consulted Capt. Mills of Marietta, who told him 
that he would procure at Marietta a trusty boat- 
master and four good hands, for one boat, to ply 
between that place and Gallipolis, and that another 
set of excellent hands might be engaged at Gallipolis, 
for the boat which is to ply between that place and 
Limestone. It does not appear that Major Craig has 

1 Page 386. 



/ 



\i 



388 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

given any directions for raising this third set ; if 
he has he will inform you ; and on defect of such 
information, permit me to ask of you the favour to 
take such steps as you shall deem effectual & best 
to engage this third boat's crew, expeditiously. Be 
pleased to speak with Capt Mills on the subject, and 
to advise Major Craig at what time both setts will 
be ready. — Perhaps they may be so engaged that 
their pay need not begin till near the time when their 
actual service will commence. — 

Col° O'Harra & Major Craig both informed me 
that hands could be engaged at 12 dollars a month 
and rations at 15 cents each : now they think that 
good hands cannot be obtained under 15, nor boat- 
masters under 20 — The difference of three dollars 
a month will increase considerably the expence of the 
undertaking, which without such addition will be 
very great. 

However it must now be encountered if unavoid- 
able. 

I am with respect & elleem, 
Sir, 

your moll obed* ferv* 
Timothy Pickering 
General RuFUS Putnam 

LETTER TO COLO PICKERING 

Marietta June ye 9th 1 794 
Dear Sir 

your favor of the 24*^^ Ult.^ with the packets re- 
fered to have come to hand. I have engaged M' 
Return Jonathan Meigs Junior 2 to undertake the bufi- 

1 Page 386. 

2 Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., was Postmaster-General from 1814 to 
1823, and held other important offices. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 389 

nefs of Postmaster at this place ; he is a gentleman 
of probity, is Attorney at Law for the United States 
in this County and keeps his office with in a few yards 
of where Boats will naturly land both on ace* of con- 
venience & Security 

with refpect to Gallipolis I am not fo well ac- 
quainted there as to fix on anyone with out fome 
further information, which I expect to obtain in a few 
days. 

I very much rejoice that an attempt is to be made 
to carry a male by this rout, and I have no doubt it 
will fiacceed and you may rest afsured that Northing 
will be wanting at this place to give them Secur- 
ity and expidition I have long wondered that the 
united States have never yet ellablifhed a po [s] t neer 
the mouth of the Sioto River ; it is very evident to 
me that much the greater part of the Mifsch [ief] don 
to boats pafsing the ohio has ben effected by Indians 
coming down the Sioto in Canoes, & other Craft and 
fpreading them felves along the Shores of the Ohio 
for fifty or fixty mils abov and below the mouth of 
the Scioto. I prefiime that ninteen twentieth of the 
Depredations committed on the river fence I have 
lived in this Country has happened within thofe dis- 
tences ; Several Score (I am certain) and I belive 
more then one hundred people have ben murdered 
in that quarter within five year and much property 
dellroyed and carryed up the Sioto ; a grate part of 
which I have no doubt would have ben prevented, had 
there ben only a Block houfe and Hockade erected 
and a fiibbaltem Command placed at, or Neer the 
mouth of the Sioto ; it is that part of the river which 
is cofindered by far the most dangerous in pafsing 
Down or up — and I query if the danger will not in- 
crefe when it is known (as it certainly will be) that 
your mail regulerly pafses up and down — 



390 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Pardon Sir the liberty I have taken in giveing" 
thefe hints. I have no view but that of giving in- 
formation, & a wilh to fee public fervis promoted and 
the lives and propertiy of the Citizens preferved, 
which I must fay I have thought was too much neg- 
lected in the inllence I have mentioned — 

LETTER FROM COL° PICKERING 

General Poft Office Philadelphia 
June 20. 1794. 
Sir. 

I wrote you on May 24th & June 7th ^ relative 
to the carriage of a mail by the Ohio, and the es- 
tablishment of poll-ofifices at Marietta & Gallipolis. 
Those letters I hope will have reached you, and per- 
sons have been designated for poll-masters at those 
places. 

To-day I received advice from Major Craig that 
one boat and crew were ready, and that the other 
two would be ready to follow her weekly. At Lime- 
stone the mails by the Ohio are to be fent by land to 
Fort Washington. George Mitchell Esq. was named 
to me for poftmaster at Limestone, and I desired him 
to make provilion for carrying the mail thence to 
Fort- Washington. 

I inclose herein a key for the postmaster at Mari- 
etta, for the lock which will fecure the mail ; and 
a packet for the postmaster at Gallipolis, also inclos- 
ing a key, to which I requeft you to give the proper 
direction. 

The persons accepting the offices mull give bond 
with fureties, and take the oaths prescribed by law. 
These are now forwarded, for both places. 

1 Pages 386, 387. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 391 

I hope fhortly to have the pleasure of an answer, 
and remain, dear fir, 

Your mofl obed* fervant 

Timothy Pickering 
RuFUS Putnam Esq. 

LETTER FROM COLO PICKERING | / 

Genl Post Office Augt 8th 1794. 
Dear Sir 

I this day received your letter of the 27th ult° — 
I also received in due time your favour of June 9th 
— The pafsage in your letter relative to the establish- 
ment of a poll at Scioto I marked to be extracted & 
fent to the Secretary of War, & I think it was done. 
I alfo fpoke to him on the fubject. It llruck me as 
important ; and I blame myself for not pursu [i] ng 
the matter to effect. Gen^ Knox has this day left 
town to go to the Province of Maine, and will not 
return perhaps under two months — too late, I fup- 
pose, to make an establishment at Scioto this year, 
if the orders for the purpose have not been already 
given. 

I fliall be greatly obliged by a free communication 
of your opinion of any alterations & improvements 
which you think would be ufeful in the carriage of 
the mail by the Ohio, and information of the man- 
ner in which it is conducted — whether with due care 
and dispatch, or otherwife. 

I inclose a commifsion for M"" Meigs the poll- 
master, and the new law for regulating the depart- 
ment of the poll office. 

I received a letter from M"" Mills mentioning the 
detention of letters deflined for Marietta, at Pittsburg, 
where they have been advertised in the news-papers. 

1 Page 388. 



392 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Please to inform him that I have written this day to 
the poftmaster M"" Scull, to forward all fuch letters, 
and others for other llations below Pittsburg, in the 
mail. 

I accept with thanks the tender of your fervices, 
which I shall call for with freedom, knowing the cor- 
diality with which the tender was made. 

I am, with fmcere respect & efteem 
Dear Sir, 

Your moll obed* Serv* 
Timothy Pickering 
General RUFUS PUTNAM, 

Marietta 

COPY OF LETTER TO COLO PICKERING 

Marietta August 30 1794 

, / Dear Sir 

V Enclofed I Send you Francis De Hebecourts Bond, 

and Certificate of the oaths fubscribed by him as 
Deputy Post Master at Gallipolis 

your favor of the 8*^^ inllent ^ was duly recived and 
I have prefented the enclofure to M'' Meigs — 

The Male boat returned the 22^^ inllent from Galli- 
polis without any Mail from Lime Stone, that Boat 
not haveing arrived at Gallipolis when they left that 
place fo that the Lime Stone male is now a week be- 
hind, whether this Mifsfortune is oweing to accident 
or Negligence in the people of the boat I cannot tell : 
that Tour I know may very well be performed within 
the time limeted, at the prefent feafon of the year, 
and Hate of the water. I have heard that they ware 
detered from feting out from lime Stone fo foon as 
they ought from a report that there ware Indians on 
the river 

1 Page 391. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 393 

the Boats from this to WheaUng and alfo from this 
to GalHpoHs perform there Tours very ealily, at pre- 
fent, while the water is low, in about five days, and 
I have no doubt but they will always be able to do 
it within the week except when obflructed by Ice 
which will fildom happen, and when the boats cannot 
pafs on ace* of the Ice, the mail may be forwarded in 
good time by a Couple of the hands takeing it on by 
land — 

But the distance from Gallipolis to Lime Stone is 
fo Grate, that when the river is high and the days 
Short and Cold, I am fully of opinion that the pafsing 
a Mail between thofe places Weekly will be imprac- 
ticable, prehaps if they are industrous they may 
perform the tour about twice in three weeks. 

this opinion of mine is not founded meerly on the 
report or opinion of others acquainted with the navi- 
gation of the river but from my own experence and 
obfervations in feveral voiges which I have made 
between this and Fort Wafhington in Different feafons 
of the year and flate of the Water, and what ever 
may be the opinion of others on this fubject I am 
confident that experience will prove that mine is well 
grounded 

The improvement on the prefent plan of Carrying 
the male which I would fugest for your confideration 
is, that a Boat fhould ply between Gallipolis and the 
mouth of the Sioto, and between the Sioto & Fort 
Wafhington (which Ihould Deliver and recive the 
Kentucky Mail at Lime Stone) with this alteration 
I concive there would be a moral certainty of a reg- 
uler weekly conveyance of the Mail provided the 
people employed ware faith [ful] to their Trust, ex- 
cept in very extreordinary Cales 1 know that 

fuch an arangement cannot take place untill a post 



394 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

is ellablifhed at the Sioto, a circumflance I hope you 
will not loofe Sight of for reafons which I have hereto- 
fore Sugested, as alfo that you will fail of a regular 
Weekly Mail for neer half the year without fuch ellab- 
lifliment 

I hope northing I have faid or any other circum- 
flance will opperate as a Discouragement fufficient 
to prevent the fending a Mail by this rout, for if it 
is confidered in a Political light only, the information 
by this means obtained of the meafures of gover- 
ment on the one hand & State of the people on the 
other, the knowledge diffused among the people by 
Newspapers, by corrispondence between frinds and 
other communic [a] tions with thefe remote parts of 
the American Empire may be of infinite confequence 
to the goverment. Northing can be more fatal to 
a republican goverment then Ignorence among its 
Citizens, as they will be made the eafy dupes of De- 
ligning men & infled of fupporting the laws, the rea- 
fon and policy of which they are ignorent, they will 
flock in thousands after a Demagouge who Sets up 
[to] oppose every meafure of goverment which he 
is able to perfuade them is not for there intrest : in 
fuch circumllancs the well disposed are born down 
and carryed away with the flood they [are] inca- 
pable of opposing for want of that information which 
thofe within the circle of political information are 
poffefsed of 

In this point of view I was exceedingly pleafe[d] 
with the fending a mail by this rout and I hope the 
expence will not prevent the continuence althoe it 
Should rife confiderably beyond what was at first 
contemplated 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 395 

LETTER FROM COLO PICKERING 

General Post Office Jany 16. 1795. 
Dear Sir. 

Tho' appointed to the department of War, yet as 
no one has yet been appointed poflmaster general, 
I occasionally do businefs in that department. I feel 
particularly concerned to do it when it respects ar- 
rangements which I began, but which from any 
cause have not fully fucceeded. 

I believe you know that at firll it was proposed to 
employ four boats to ply between Pittsburg, or rather 
Wheeling, and Fort Washington. Afterwards it was 
found that the mail might be carried by land from 
Limellone to Fort Washington. This lefsened the 
distance about 70 miles : and as on enquiry, there 
appeared to be no flations for exchanging the mails 
but Marietta, Gallipolis & Limellone, thefe were fixed 
on for the purpose. The confequence was, that the 
Boat, N° 3. plying between Gallipolis, 145 miles, was 
seldom if ever in time. To remedy this mischief, 
Col° Mitchell fuggested to Major Craig that he could 
fend a canoe to meet the mail from Gallipolis ; and 
from Major Craig's letter to the Gen' Poll Ofifice, 
rec'^ during my absence on a treaty with the Six 
Nations, it was understood that this proposition of 
Col° Mitchell's had been carried into effect. But on 
examining Col° Mitchel's letters to the Poll Office, 
I conclude that the measure was merely fuggested, 
& not executed. The Consequence of the failure of 
the 3d boat has been fuch intollerable delay of the 
mail, as almoft to discourage a prosecution of the 
plan of conveying a mail by the Ohio — combining 
with the delay, the great expence attending it. 

Lately the Kentuckey gentlemen have proposed 



u/ 



396 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

that the mail fhould stop at Preston} 25 or 26 miles 
on this fide Limefl;one. This will reduce the range 
of the 3d boat to 120 miles. I have afsented to this 
proposition ; and lafl week wrote to Col° Mitchel to 
fend the poll rider from Limeflone up to Preston, to 
take the mail thence by land to Washington (which 
is 4 miles from Limeflone) & thence to Fort Wash- 
ington. This will increafe his ride to near 100 miles, 
and give him pretty conllant employment. — M''^ 
John and George Graham are the gentlemen at Pres- 
ton to whom I have written to receive the mail from 
the boat, & deliver the one from below. — I have 
further proposed that the Boat N° 2. which by one 
of your letters I fee had two fpare days, to wait one 
or both of them for the arrival of boat N° 3. and in 
like manner Boat N° i. mufl; wait for boat N° 2. In 
this manner I have hopes that a regular conveyance 
of this mail may be effected. 

But, my dear fir, I have not given you this detail 
merely for information : I am folicitous to commit 
the whole businefs to your direction. Your fituation 
is peculiarly favourable for the purpose, as two boats 
weekly arrive at Marietta. I know too that for your- 
self as well as the country where you refide, you feel 
much interefted to give fuccefs to fome plan of 
carrying the mail by the Ohio. I have therefore to 
requefl — and you are hereby fully authorized to 
make fuch arrangements for the purpose as you fhall 
judge bell. — I am told that the duty of the boats 
N° I. & 2. is fo light, that 2 out of the 4 hands are 
alternately left at home. Now this cannot be right. 
If not necefsary for the fervice, they fhould be dis- 
charged. Or if flill the duty of boat N° 3. fhould be 

^ Preston (Prestonville) is on the Ohio River below the mouth of the 
Kentucky. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 397 

too fevere, one or two hands may be added to their 
present complement. 

What I have faid in this letter respecting the man- 
agement of the boats, you will be pleased to consider 
merely as hints : the actual arrangement to produce 
an efficient carriage of the mail, I beg you to make. I 
fhall drop a line for Major Craig & Col° Mitchel to ap- 
prize them of the measures I have defired you to take. 

I fhall desire Major Craig to pay regularly all the 
men employed, & to pay off any that may be dis- 
charged. 

Your arrangements you will of course communicate 
to the General Post Office, where I Ihall fee them. 

Should the Indian War be continued (which God 
forbid) I Ihall not fail to communicate to the President 
your opinion of the utility of a fmall poU at the mouth 
of the Scioto. I sent your letter on the fubject to 
Gen^ Knox foon after I rec^ it. 

I remain Dear Sir, 
P. S. It has been fug- with great refpect & efteem 
gested to me that Your mofl ob* ferv* 

the mail boats are TIMOTHY PICKERING 

much too heavy for 
pushing with the requiiite 
speed. Will you favour 

me with your ideas on this fubject — and of the fize 
& form of the boats bell adapted to that fervice ? 
General RuFUS Putnam 

Marietta. 

COPY OF A LETTER TO COL° PICKERING 

Marietta February Qth i 795 
Dear Sir 

your favor of the 16*'' ult^ was recived by the Last 
Mail. I most fincearly Congratulate both you and my 

1 Page 395. 



V 



398 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Country on your appointment to the office of Secre- 
tary at War — with refpect to the fubject of your let- 
ter I will attend to the bulinefs agreably to your re- 
qust, and no time will be lost in makeing the necefsary 
enquiries in ordor to make up an opinion of what 
alterations if any may be made for the better : I shall 
endevor to afsertain Myfelf of all the caufes which 
have contributed to prevent the reguler arrivel of the 
Several Boats at their places of Distination in Due 
time and adopt Such Arrangments as fhall appear to 
me the most likely to afure punctuality in time to 
come ; which will be forwarded to the General post 
office agreebly to your Direction 

COPY OF A LETTER TO GEN"- PICKERING 

Marietta February, 20th 1795 
Dear Sir 

After considering the fubject in every point of 
view in which I am capable of contemplating it, 
The plan contained in the enclofed paper ^ promifses 
the fairest to enfure a reguler and efficient carrage 
of the Mail between Wheeling and Preflon of any 
I can think of, under prefent circumflances. I fhould 
have prefered Wednesday infleed Thursday for the 
Boats arriveing at Preflon, but was fearfuU this might 
interfere too much with the prefent arrangement of 
the Post riders below and thereby occation a Deten- 
tion of the Boats which always ought to be avoided 
if poffible, as it tends to beget negligence and gives 
a pretext for excufe fhould they not return to Marietta 
in due time, and I did not think myfelf authorized to 
interfere in matters below further then to prefs on 
Col° Marfhall the necefsity of the Mail below being 
punctual in her arrivel at Preflon by Twelve oClock 

1 Page 402. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 399 

on Thursday ; and befides Boate N° i haveing fre- 
quently failed reaching Marietta untill monday owe- 
ing as I have ben informed to the Mail from Pitts 
burgh not arriveing at Wheeling in Due time, a 
Doubt arofe from that Quarter whether the Boats from 
Marietta would always be able to reach Preston be- 
fore Thursday ; but if the bufmefs above can be fo 
regulated as that the boate fhall not waite at Wheel- 
ing after three oClock on Saturday for the Eastern 
Mail, and the bufmefs below can be fo arranged as 
that Wednesday Twel [v] e oClock Ihall be the post 
hour at Prefton it will in my opinion much improve 
the Plan, for in that cafe the Boats will be able, al- 
ways, to leave Marrietta on Sunday evening and to 
arrive at Prellon on Wednesday by twelve oClock 
with the greatest eafe : by which one intire day will 
be gained for her returning up the river, which will 
allways be very convenient to the hands, and in fhort 
days and a high Frelh may be abfolutely necefsary to 
enfure their arrivel at Marietta in Due time ; for the 
Defference in afsending the river when the Water is 
in a proper Hate ; and in a high frefh I believe is full 
one third in point of time, and one half as it refpects 
the labour of the hands. I have no doubt of the pre- 
fent Plans fucceeding for fix or eight month of the 
year provided the boats are not obliged to waite at 
Wheeling and Prellon beyond the hour appointed : 
and if the alteration which I have fugested can be 
effected and punctuality on the part of the Post riders 
below and from Pitts burgh Produced I am very con- 
fident that compleat fuccess will attend the Boats : 
except in fome few inllences in the Dead of Winter 
when Poffibley the Ice in the river may prevent their 
pafsage 

on enquirey I find the Distence between Gallipolis 



400 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

and Lime Stone was not the only reafon why Boate 
N° 3 has fo often failed of being up in time : for gen- 
erally they might have performed the voige if the 
hands had exarted themfelves in a proper maner ; want 
of industry and fubordination among the Crew and in 
fome inflences Deferting the Boat with the Difficulty 
of procuring other hands in that quarter to fupply 
the Deficiency, there frequently haveing Pafsengers 
on Bord, are among the circumflances that have 
contributed to the Mifsfortune to which may be aded 
that haveing a more Dangerous and harder fervice 
to perform then the other Boats, it opperated as a Dis- 
couragement and gave them a pretext for excufe. 
But I trust most of thefe Difficulties are removed or 
will be overcom by the arrangment I have proposed, 
for in the execution of the Plan it is intended that 
Boat N° I Ihall take her Tour Down to Preflon with 
the other Boats, (and the reafon why this circum- 
llance is not taken Notice of in the first inllence is 
becaufe I am told that the Crew of that Boate ware 
engaged for the perticuler part of the river they now 
occupy and I did not think proper to ordor them on 
a more fevear fervice untill I ihall have an oppertunity 
of Specking with them) however I have no doubt 
but they will comply (if not others will eafily be pro- 
cured) And the Service of the Boats being perfectly 
equel, not only all ground of complaint on that head 
will be removed but emulation excited, and being all 
under the imediate infpection of one man, any delin- 
quency or other improper conduct among the hands 
will be more eafily discovered and if Necefsary the 
party discharged with out hazord : for industrous 
fober men may always be had in this quarter in cafe 
of emergency. And as I know, from my own experi- 
ence of the Navagation that it is practicable for the 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 401 

boats to perform every think required of them by the 
System proposed, no excufe for any Failure (under 
ordinay circumflances) will be admitted, except De- 
tention from the Deputy Postmaster or other Perfons 
from whome they are to recive the Mails, and in 
ordor the better to Detect any Delinquency that may 
happen among the boat people I beg leave to Sugest 
to the Post Master General the propriety of his in- 
llructing the Deputy Postmasters with in the range 
of thefe boats to forward a note with each Mail to 
the Post office at Marietta flateing the time of each 
Boates arrivel and Departure, with the caufe of De- 
tention if any beyond the proper hour. — 
As to 2 out of 4 hands of Boate N° i being left at 
home &c I am told the fact is other wife. 4 hands 
inflead of 5 has in one or two inllences come down 
in her to Marietta, which was undoubtedly wrong be- 
caufe the rifeing of the water is always fo uncertain 
it never ought to be trusted, however if the plan I 
have proposed fhould be approved of by the Post- 
master general and this Boat takes its tour down the 
river I belive the Service will be fevear enough 

you mention in your letter that Major Craige will 
be defiered to pay the men &c, but fay northing of 
the mode or maner how or by whom the accounts 
are to be certifyed and the money Drawn : If I may 
be indulged with giveing an opinion on this head, I 
Should recommend that M*^ Meigs the Deputy Post- 
master at Marietta fhould be Charged with this bufi- 
nefs as his fituation will enable him to do it with lefs 
trouble to himfelf then any other person, as well as 
to guard against any impofition or claim for fervice 
which was never performed — 

you tell me " It has ben fugested to you that the 
Male Boats are hevy &c " at prefent it is my opinion 



402 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

that they are not the best that Can be conflructed, 
and as foon as I can fix my own mind on the fize 
and form of one which I dare refque my reputation 
on recommending I fhall write you fully on the 
fubject 

I am &c 
P. S. punctuality it is hoped will R PUTNAM 

attend the post riders above and 
below, the boat masters are how- 
ever inflructed to waite for the 
mails they are to re[c]ive and 
even to pufh as far as Lime Stone 
if necefsary 

PLAN ADOPTED BY GENERAL PUTNAM FOR THE CARRAGE OF 
THE MAIL BETWEEN WHEELING & PRESTON ON THE OHIO RIVER 

[Enclosed in the preceding letter.] 

Being Requested and Duely authorized by General 
Pickering to Take the Direction of the Mail Boats 
\ on the ohio river between Wheeling and Preflon or 

» Grahams flation. In ordor to procure an efficient 

Carrage of the Mail between thofe places, The follow- 
ing regulations are to take place from and after Sun- 
day the First day of March next — viz one Boat to 
ply as heretofore between Wheeling and Marietta : 
and the other two between Marietta and Preflon and 
to commence and purfiae their opperations in the 
follow ordor untill the fame (hall be altered or Discon- 
tinued by the Postmaster General or other Proper 
authorety — 

First Boat N° i Will Leave Marietta every Monday 
Morning at Five oClock or on the evening before if 
She chufes. She will make her pafsage up the river 
fo as to Deliver the Mail at the Post office at Wheel- 
ing the next Wednesday Evening, unlefs a very 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 403 

extreordinary Frefh in the river Ihall render it em- 
practicable which will very fildom if ever happen. 
She will leave Wheeling every Saturday at three 
oClock in the afternoon and arrive at Marietta the 
Next evening by Six oClock. 

Secondly Boat N° 2 will leave Marietta on Monday 
the 2^ of March at five oClock in the morning (or 
the evening before if She chuses) She will arrive at 
Prellon the Thursday following by Twelve oClock 
Delive[r] the Mail, and return (with the one from 
below) to Marietta the next Sunday Sennight by five 
oClock in the afternoon. 

Boat N° 3 Will leave Marietta on Monday the ninth 
of March at five oClock in the Morning, or on the 
evening before as She Chuses, Proceed to Preflon in 
the fame maner and return to Marietta with in the 
time prefcribed for N° 2. And thus the Boats N° 2 & 
3 are to follow each other in reguler rotation whereby 
one of them will arrive at Marietta every Sunday 
evening or before, and the other at Preflon every 
Thursday by Twelve oClock. thefe Boats both in 
going Down and returning up the river will Deliver 
the mail at the Post office at Gallipolis which the 
post Master must redeliver in one hour that the Boats 
may proceed on their voige 

Thirdly No Perfon is on any account to be permit- 
ted to take pafsage in either of the Mail Boats when 
afsending the river For as every increefe of Weight 
must necefsarily retard the progrefs of the Boats, the 
pafsage of confequence will be longer as well as more 
tedious and render their arrivel in Due time un- 
certain — 

The feveral boat Masters and hands must never 
fale to purfue their voyage up the river with Dili- 
gence lest an unexpected Rife of water Should pre- 



!/■ 



404 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

vent their arrive! at the place of Distination with in 
the time limetted — 

Marietta February 17th 1795 

N B General Pickering has wrote to M"" John and 
George Graham at Preflon to recive the Mail from 
the boats and to Deliver the one from below, and 
Col" Marfhel has Direction to fend the Mail from be- 
low forward to Prellon. but as its unfertain whether 
Col° Marfhel has recived General Pickering letters 
in time to put the bufmefs in train fo foon as the 
first of March : the Boats N° 2 and 3 will proceed 
to Lime Stone unlefs they shall meet the Mail at 
Prellon or they be informed by Missers Graham that 
it is expected at Prellon in confequence of Meafurs 
adopted by Col° Marf [he] 1 for that Purpus — 

LETTER FROM COLO PICKERING 

General Post Office Philaa 
March 25. 1795. 

Dear Sir. 

I have received your favour of Feb^ 20*^ ^ It was 
due the 21** inllant but fome obstruction, I fuppose 
at the Susquehannah or other waters, prevented its 
arrival till the 23 d. 

I am much obliged by your attention to the Ohio 
mail : I doubt not the arrangement you have made 
will prove fuccefsful. 

As the immediate direction of the businefs will 
be at Marietta, and the performance of duty by the 
boatmen be there afcertained ; and as the boats N° 
2. & N° 3. as well as N° i. arrive there in their turns, 
it will certainly be proper to have them paid there. 
This I shall advife to have done, thro' M"" Meigs the 

1 Page 398. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 405 

poilmaster, as you fuggest — until a new Pollmaster 
General shall otherwife direct. 

I have thought that as soon as peace shall be 
made with the Indians north of the Ohio, the mail 
might be carried by land — not only incomparably 
cheaper, but with more expedition & certainty. I 
wifti you to think of this matter, and of the moll eli- 
gible route. — I feel much confidence that we ftiall 
have peace with the Indians ; and then I fiippose 
ferries will be established by settlers at all the deep 
waters to facilitate the pafsing of travellers. 
I am, Sir, 
with great respect & esteem 
Your ob* fervant 
Timothy Pickering 
General RUFUS PUTNAM. 

LETTER FROM SECRETARY AT WAR / 

War-Office March 25. 1795. . / 
Sir. 

Inclosed is a copy of my letter of this date to Gov- 
ernor S* Clair.i He may be absent ; and hence your 
advice to Col° Sproat on the fubject may be the more 
needful. At all events, I could wilh your judgement 
interposed, in the considering of the numbers of mili- 
tia really necefsary to be employed in guarding your 
fettlements on and about the Muskingum, & at Gal- 
lipolis, from furprize and injury by the Indians. If 
the Governor be absent, I shall desire Col*' Sproat 
to confult you, & to let the fteps he shall take re- 
ceive your approbation, before he proceeds to exe- 
cute any plan of defence. I hope you will excuse my 
troubling you in this and other matters of public 
concern. The only apology I can make is, that mea- 

^ See The St. Clair Papers, vol. ii. p. 338. 



4o6 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

sures which receive your approbation, will be calcu- 
lated to promote the public interefls, which, especially 
in distant places, are too often sacrificed to private 
views. — I also inclose a copy of my letter to Col° 
Sproat : ^ and am, very respectfully^ 

Sir, 
Your moll ob* fervant 
Timothy Pickering 
General RUFUS PUTNAM 

COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE SEC^ OF WAR TO COL SPROAT^ 

[Enclosed in the preceding letter.] 

(Copy) 

War Office March 25 1795 
Sir 

I have received your Letter of the 23^^ February, 
relative to the Militia Guards and Scouts for the 
defence of the Settlements on and about the Mus- 
kingum and at Gallipolis My Ideas on the fubject 
are contained in the enclosed Copy of my Letter of 
this Date to Governor S* Clair. Should he be absent, 
I request you, before you take any order in the Busi- 
nels to consult Gen^ Putnam. His knowledge of the 
Country, and his judgment and experience as a mili- 
tary man, will be useful ; and his approbation of the 
Plan of defence you shall propose to adopt, while it 
gives confidence to you in their propriety, will ensure 
the public approbation 

The Rations furnished by contract, are to be de- 
livered at Pittsburg and Fort Washington — All other 
Places are to be supplied from those two. Mus- 
kingum and Gallipolis will depend on Pittsburg. As 
soon therefore as the number of Men to be employed 

^ Page 406. 

2 Ebenezer Sproat was the superintendent of the military affairs of the 
United States in Washington County, Northwest Territory. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 407 

as aforementioned shall be determined on, it will be 
necefsary for you to give immediate information 
thereof to Major Craig, as well as to this office — 

The pay of the Militia in Service is augmented — 
A Copy of the act regulating it is enclosed. 

I am Sir, 
Your obed* Serv* 
Signed 

Timothy Pickering 

Secy of War 

P S. I have read a Letter to you from my prede- 
cefsor, dated the 26*^ [?] of last November — The 
documents which he then declared necefsary to be 
rendered by you relative to the expenditure of Public 
Money placed in your hands, have not yet appeared ; 
and he afsured you, that until they were rendered, 
no further advances could be made. Let it suffice 
for me to remind you of this. 
Col Ebenezer Sproat 

COPY OF LETTER TO COL° SPROAT 

Marietta April 15th 1795 
Sir 

In compliance with your request, agreably the in- 
structions of the Secretary at War, that in the absence 
of the govenor you Should obtain my opinion re- 
fpecting the Military defence necesfary to be keept 
up for the protection of the Setdements in this quar- 
ter and Gallipolis, haveing considered the Subject in 
every point of view in which it has Struck my mind 
I am of opinion That under present circumstancs 
and prospects, the permenant or Stationary Militia 
Guards at all the Stations may very well be dispenced 
with ; that a few Spyes or Scout men under proper 
direction will afford every reafonable Protection 



the distence 
between thefe 
places is between 
17 & i8 mils 



408 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

against the Small Sculking parties of Savages which 
will doubtlefs continue to infest the Settlements more 
or lels in ordor to take Scalps, Steal horses and drive 
of Cattle as heretofore untill a general peace is es- 
tablifhed or prehaps untill Detroit is in our hands or 
our post are extended down the Miami So as to ren- 
der Detroit & other British post lefs convenient for 
carrying our Cattle to Market then at present 

the number of Spies I Should recommend to Scout 
in the Vicinity of Marietta Belleprie and Waterford 
is 12 to be disposed of in the following maner — 
viz 

4 to have their rendezvos at^ 
Goodales Sation at Belle- 
prie and > 

4 at Colo Olivers Mills on Wolf 
Creek 

each of thefe parties Should in alternate rotation 
Scout Quite acrofs the Country from one of thofe 
Stations to the other, thofe who randezvos at Good- 
ales During the Tour of the other party between the 
Stations, Should Scout bak of Sawyers and Newbury 
Station as far [as] the Water of the Great Hockhock- 
ing — and thofe who randezvos at Olivers Mills dur- 
ing the tour of the Belleprie party between the 
Stations Should be employed in Scouting up the 
West Branch of Wolf Creek and from thence acrofs 
to the Muskingum as high as the Big Bottom, or at 
lest as the Standing Rock and from thence acrofs 
the great Bend to the Muskingum again opposit 
Shermans Station and from thence to there randezvos 
at the Mills, thefe Scouts if they do there duty (of 
which doubtlefs you will inform your felf by Col° 
Oliver at the mills and fome other Militia officer at 
Belleprie under whofe imediate infpection I advis 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 409 

you to place them) will I concive be fufficient on our 
weft Bordor — and for our Northern & Eastern 
Q [u] arter I would recommend two Spies to randez- 
vos at Shermans Station above Waterford and two 
at Chapmans Station on Duck Creek to be employed 
in Scouting in rotation between thofe Station in the 
Same maner as it is proposed for the other between 
goodals, and Ollivers mills. Thofe at Chapmans 
during the toure of the other party between the 
Stations, to Scout fouthward to the Ohio and North- 
ward as far as the Forks of Duck Creek and thofe 
who randezvos at Shermans in like [?] maner to 
Scout on the North Eastern Side of Muskingii[m] 
as high as Meigs Creek and Back of Waterford Set- 
tlements as [far] down as Judge Devols Station 

With refpect to Gallipolis if 4 Spies are keept 
Scouting every day back of the Settlement, as far up 
the ohio as by Kenhawa and occationally crofsing 
Chickamaga and pufliing Westward and Southerly 
as far a[s] Racoon in the prefent compact State of 
that Settlement I concive we ought to expect that 
no other military force is necefsary for their protec- 
tion 

it may be well however not to dismifs your present 
guard untill the end of the present month and in the 
mean time make your arrangements for engageing 
your Spies in cafe you Should adopt the Ideas which 
I have Sugested 

Col° Sproat 

LETTER TO OLFVER WOLCOTT 

Marietta Mav 12* 1796 
Sir 

by the papers herewith enclosed you will perceive 

that the Lands proposed by the act of Congrefs, of 



4IO OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the 3*^ of March 1795, to be granted to the French 
inhabitens of GaUipolis, are Surveyed and afsigned 
to the Several perfons entitled thereto (as I trust) 
agreably to the intention of the aforementioned act 
& your inflructions of the 29*^ of September 1 795 — 
M"^ Martin met me at Galliopolis the 2^ of November 
and within a few days comenced his Survey which 
he complected as Soon as could be expected, but 
from an 111 State of helth as he informs me he was 
not able to make the returns before the 25*** ulta. I 
proceeded to galliopolis as Soon as I could with con- 
venience and the Several lots ware afsigned to in- 
dividuals on the 3^^ inllent in maner Certified in the 
list of Drafts and I beleeve the whole bufmefs has 
ben conducted to the intire fatisfaction of all con- 
cerned — 

M"^ Martin States the Distence run in executing 
this Survey to be 152 miles, 72 chains & 98 links and 
the time necfsarely employed in makeing Duplicate 
plans & Certificets 34 days. 

my agreement with him was to excute the Survey 
at the rate of Three Dollers per mile for every mile 
actually run including the pay of afsistents and all 
expence of the Survey and for makeing Duplicate 
plans and Certificats of the courfe distencs & Bound- 
aries — two Dollers per day for the necfsry time. I 
have furnifhed M""' Martin with a Certificate of the 
compenfation Contracted for and that he has exe- 
cuted the Surveys agreably to the act of Congress 
and returned Duplicate plans Certifecits &c to me 
but refered him to the Treafury Department for 
auditing his ace* which I fupposed was your expec- 
tation the other Plat & Minuts or Certifecates of the 
Survey I Shall agreably to the act and your inllruc- 
tion return to the Secretary of the Teritory 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 411 

\ 

LETTER FROM SEC^ STATE 

(private) Department of State Sept. 30. 1796. 

Dear Sir. 

Accompanying tliis you will receive a letter cover- 
ing a commifsion conllituting you Surveyor General 
of the United States : ^ I hope the appointment will 
be acceptable to you. The act of Congrefs establish- 
ing this office and describing its duties you will 
receive with your commifsion. Contemplating a va- 
cancy by this appointment on the judicial bench of 
the north western territory, I take the liberty of asking 
from you the names and places of residence, in the 
territory, of the gentlemen who may be considered as 
candidates for the office of judge, with your opinion 
of those who for their character, talents and integrity 
are entitled to a preference : but particularly I re- 
quest your opinion of M*^ Oilman, your neighbour. I 
forget his christian name ; but I mean the gentleman 
who married Mifs Ives of Salem. I once knew them 
both, & that they were much respected. M'' Oilman 
must be now more than fifty years old. I beg you to 
write me freely & fully, as you may in confidence, 
only for the President's information. I consider 6b- 
briety in a judge as an efsential Q;}i2X\\.y to enfure re- 
spect to the law and the government. The notorious 
want of it in one of your bench may occafion another 
vacancy ; which is the reason that I enquire for more 
than one candidate. Be fo good as to write me as 
early as pofsible. 

I am with lincere respect and esteem 

D"" Sir, your ob* ferv* 
General RuFUS Putnam T. Pickering 

P. S. Do you know of any respectable man, qualified 

1 Page 412. 



412 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

for a judge, who is not at present, but is going to 
become an inhabitant of your territory ? ^ 

letter from secyty of state 

Department of State 

I. October 1796. 
Sir, 

The President of the United States desiring to 

avail the public of your fervices as Surveyor General, 

V I have now the honor of enclosing the Commifsion, 

and of exprefsing to you the fentiments of the most 

perfect respect and esteem with which 

I am. Sir, 
Your most ob* Servant 

Timothy Pickering 
RuFUS Putnam Esq'"^ 
Surveyor General > 
of the US. J 

COPY OF LETTER TO COL PICKERING 

Marietta October 15th 1796 
Sir 
■ Your favor of the First inllent ^ enclofeing a Com- 

\ / mifsion from the Prefident of the united States by 

which he is pleafed to honour me with the office of 
Surveyor General was duely recived — 

this expretion of the Prelidents good opinion of my 
integrity and abilities demands my warmest acknow- 
ledgments, and I wifh him to be informed that I most 
lincealy thank him for the appointment. But as I 

1 In his confidential reply to this letter General Putnam suggested the 
names of Joseph Oilman, Peregrine Foster, Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., 
and Dudley Woodbridge as citizens of the Territory who would be suit- 
able judicial candidates. He also mentioned Colonel Ives, of Great Bar- 
rington, and William Judd, of Farmington, as prospective settlers qualified 
for the office. Joseph Gilman was appointed General Putnam's successor. 

2 Page 412. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 413 

concive my acceptence of this office will or may be 
fupposed to vacate that of Judge, the intrest of the 
Goverment requires that I Ihould delay the matter a 
few days Becaufe the General Court of the Teritory 
ought to Set in this County next week which it can- 
not do without my attendence — but as Soon as this 
Court is over I Shall accept the appointmet Shall 
take the oath of office required by Law & be ready 
to recive your further communication 
T Pickering 

LETTER FROM M'' HABERSHAM POST MASTER GENERAL 

General Post Office \ / 
Philadela Dec 16. 1796. 
Sir 

Col. Pickering delivered me your Letter to him of 
the II* of June on the subject of the Ohio Mail and 
I am much obliged to him for thus introducing to 
my acquaintance a Gentleman of your character and 
Information 

For some time I had determined to drop the route 
down the Ohio and resume that through the Wilder- 
nefs as lefs expensive and more certain, for the many 
failures which happened during the course of last 
Winter in a great measure interrupted the intercourse 
with the North Western Territory and the State of 
Kentucky, and tended to destroy all confidence in 
that Mail — Some obstacles however have occurred 
to resuming the route through the Wildernefs, which 
determined me to make a further trial of that down 
the Ohio, especially as I had an opportunity of placing 
the Contract in the hands of M"^ Greene in whom I 
have the most perfect confidence. M'' Greene is of 
opinion that light and safe Boats may be constructed to 
be navigated with fewer hands to much greater advan- 



414 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

tage in stemming the current of the Ohio than those 
hitherto employed which he represents as quite unfit 
for that service. I have agreed to allow him an ad- 
ditional Boat and to provide four new ones at the 
public expence on the construction which he thinks 
will answer best. The mails should be carried in Port- 
manteaus as in case of accidents they can be most 
conveniently removed and I presume the Boats will 
be large enough to admit of boxes fixed in such a 
manner as will secure the Mails from water — if boxes 
are made, to render them perfectly secure, it will be 
necefsary to have them covered with oil cloth. 

I now enclose you a Blank Bond, Oaths and Con- 
tract and I have to request the favor of you to see 
them executed by M"" Greene. This Contract is only 
to continue for a Year at the expiration of which time 
I think it is probable that the Mail will be carried on 
M"" Zanes route from Wheeling to Limestone — this 
road I am told is already opened and has been pafsed 
by some persons who represent the distance to be 
about Two Hundred Miles, in this event Marietta may 
be accomodated with a crofs Post to connect with the 
route from Wheeling to Limeston 

I shall thank you for any information you can give 
me respecting this road. 

I have been very free in writing to you respecting 
this businefs as I know how much you are interested 
in having the Mail regularly carried on the Ohio and 
as I cannot write particularly by this Post to M"" 
Greene I will thank you to shew him the contents of 
this Letter. 

I am with much esteem 
Sir 

V mo. ob* Serv* 

Jos. Habersham 
General RUFUS PUTNAM. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 415 

COPY OF LETTER TO MR. HABERSHAM 

Marietta January 25th 1787 [1797] 
Sir 

your favor of the 16*^ ult^ with its enclofures ware 
duely recived. I fhall allways elleam myfelf happy 
in rendering any fervis, or giveing fuch information 
as is in my power to the officers of goverment, and 
am certainly as much obliged to Col<^ Pickering for 
introduceing me to an acquaintence with the Post 
Master General as you poffibly can be. 

I have ben long fensible of the unavoidable inter- 
ruption of a regular Mail on the ohio by Water in 
the Winter feafon. I know alfo that there has ben 
a few failures in the boate between Gallipolis & 
Preston, partly from the great distence and partly 
from the negligence of the boat men I know like- 
wife that there has ben many failures of the Mail 
arriving at Wheeling from Pittsburgh in due feason 
but from what caufe I cannot fay. but under your 
Contract with M^ Greene I think there will be no 
failure except what arifes from circumflances unavoid- 
able, the prefent winter is extreamly unfavorable, the 
ohio has ben fhut up with Ice for a long time no 
Boat has or could pafs for many weeks what Mails 
has arrived have ben transported on the back of 
Footmen there being no horfe road on the ohio open 
for any confiderable Distence — 

I believe a road from Wheeling by Marietta to 
Prellon (or Limeflone) will in procefs of time be 
opened which which will be a few miles neerer then 
that opened by Col° Zanes ; but I much doubt if it 
ever ought to be made the general Post Road to 
Kentuckey and the Northwest Territor}^ Becaufe 
Zanes Road' untill it reaches the Hockhocking river 

1 Page 413. 



4i6 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

(or a roade very nearly in that rout) penetrates into 
the very hart of the Country which agreably to the 
ordinance of Congrefs is to compofe the South eall- 
ern Dillrict or New State Northwest of the River ohio 
and is alfo the proper rout to Post Vencent on the 
Wabalh & Kafkaskias on the Miffifippi indeed fo 
far as I am acquainted with the Geography of the 
Country at or not far from where Zanes Road crofses 
the Hockhocking is a very central pofifition from 
whence to communicate by Crofs posts to different 
places — to Lime Stone it will be about one hundred 
mile, to Cincinnati one hundred & fifteen — to Fort 
Hamilton one hundred and ten — to Greenevill one 
hundred & Twenty five and about the fame to Lore- 
mers [Loramie's] Store from whence is the portage to 
S*^ Mary^ Creek Leading to Fort Wayne &c — fo that 
if I am not Decived in the Geography of the Country 
which I believe I am not Marietta and the other 
places on the Ohio between Wheeling [and] Lime- 
Hone ought to be content with Crofs posts communi- 
[ca] teing with a generel Post Road pafsing through 
the hart of the Country not far from where Zanes 
has opened his Road — however in the courfe of the 
prefent year I expect to be more correctly informed 
of the Geography of the Country in general and of 
Zanes Road in pirticuler then I am at prefent, and 
ftiall not fail to communicate to you every matter 
which may be of confequence in Ditermining the rout 
of the Mails in this quarter after the prefent year — 

M*^ Greenes Contract Bond and oath I here with 
enclofe 

I am with much elleem 
Sir 
Joseph Habersham Esq"" V M" Ob* Serv* 

Post Master Gen^ — 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 417 

LETTER FROM COLO PICKERING 

Philadelphia March 17, 1797. \/ 
Dear Sir, 

The post-master general informs me that M'^ Green, 
the contractor for carrying the mail on the Ohio, has 
failed in the execution of his contract ; and from the 
information he has received, he is fearful that it will 
never be duly executed. The disappointments which 
have happened fince the river has been open, already 
excite much uneasinefs. If I mistake not, M*" Green 
had your recommendation. At any rate, as well as 
a public officer to whom a regular and expeditious 
pafsage of the mail will be very interelling, as an 
inhabitant of the Ohio country, and a well-wifher to 
every ufeful public inllitution, I am fure you will 
cheerfully promote any measures which may be 
proper to remedy the mischief complained of. Per- 
mit me then to request, that you will take the trouble 
to enquire into this matter, and ascertain whether M'' 
Green can and will in future execute his contract 
with punctuality ; and if either power or disposition 
be wanting, that you will have the goodnefs to ex- 
prefs the fame freely, either to the poflmaster general, 
or to me. — The late Postmaster at Marietta, M' 
Meigs, is I believe, M'' Green's furety. 

I am forry to give you this trouble, and more 
forry that there Ihould be occasion for it. If M"^ Green 
cannot execute the contract, he had better frankly 
give it up. He mufl execute or re7tou7ice it. I know 
that the poflmaster general cannot and ought not to 
fuffer fuch material failures without being obliged, as 
well by a fense of duty as the complaints of the pub- 
lic, to attempt, and promptly, to provide a remedy. 
— The measures of the poflmaster general will, I 



4i8 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

believe, much depend on your communications ; which 
I therefore request may be fpeedily made. 
With true esteem & respect 
I am, dear fir, 
Your ob* fervant 

Timothy Pickering 
RUFUS Putnam Esq' 

LETTER FROM COLO piCKERING 

Philadelphia March 17. 1797. 
Dear Sir. 

Bilhop Ettwein, President of the incorporated So- 
ciety of Brethren in the United States afsociated for 
propagating the gospel among the Heathen, has 
written me on the nth inflant, that the Directors of 
the Society, being very desirous to have furveyed, 
the lands granted to the Society on the Muskingum, 
comprehending the Christian Indian towns of Salem, 
Gnaden Hutten & Schoenbrun, that thofe Indians 
may resume their fettlements there without delay, 
have appointed Mefs"^^ John Heckewelder (whom you 
know) and William Henry Esq' (a member of the 
Society and a very worthy man) their deputies, to 
attend the furvey of those lands, and the subdivifion 
thereof to accommodate the fettlers. The bishop has 
requested me to addrefs a few lines to you, doubtlefs 
in the expectation of its facilitating the execution of 
the part of the businefs depending on you : but you 
will need no urging to perform a public duty. At 
the fame time I persuade myself that it will not be a 
matter of indifference with you to gratify my wilhes, 
in giving dispatch to a businefs which will not inter- 
fere with any fuperior duty. And as this will, I ima- 
gine, be a service quite detached from any other, a 
furveyor may at once be designated to perform it. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 419 

The deputies will defray the expence, in the first in- 
ftance. — This letter will be handed to you by Mefs^ 
Heckewelder & Henry, whose known merit authorises 
me to recommend them to your attention : and I 
shall take the liberty of sending you a copy by this 
day's post, by which means you will have time to 
make the proper dispositions for their affairs, againft 
their arrival. They propose to fet off in about three 
weeks. 

I am, dear fir, 

with lincere respect & esteem, 
your ob* fervant 

Timothy Pickering 
RuFUS Putnam Esq"" 

Surveyor General of the U. States 

; 
COPY OF LETTER TO M^ WOLCOTT ' 

Marietta December 2d 1797 
Sir 

I herewith enclofe the plans of three tracts of Land 
which I have caused to be Surveyed for Ebenezer 
Zane agreably to the act of Congrefs entitled " An 
Act To authorize Ebenezer Zane to Locate certain 
Lands in the Teritory of the United States North- 
west of the River Ohio " and in purfuence of your 
inllruction of the 14*^ of June 1796. 

I have not traveled the Road my felf but have ben 
credibly informed that it is opened to a proper width 
— when I met Col° Zane on the Muskingum in ordor 
to fix on the general rout, I was very defierous to 
have the road Crofs the Muskingum at the mouth of 
Salt Creek ten mile below M*=Collock Ferry where it 
now Crofses — but from the apperance of the Coun- 
try west of Muskingum and from the aflureance of 
people acquented with the Country further west I 



420 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

was led to believe that it was best on the whole that 
the road fhould Crofs the Muskingum neer the mouth 
of Licking althoe fomething further about and ac- 
cordingly consented it fhould Crofs there. 

I have fence had fome reafon to believe that a road 
may be had to Crofs the Muskingum neer the mouth 
of Salt Creek, as I first proposed, but I have not had 
oppertunity fence I recived the information to afser- 
tain the fact, that the Road ought to crofs the Hock- 
hocking and Sioto at the places where it now does I 
have no doubt and that the general course is right I 
have no doubt except the bend made in Crofsing the 
Mulkingum as before mentioned of this I have at 
prefent fome doubts, althoe I had none at the time I 
agreed it fhould crofs at Licking 

Whether admitting the general courfe of the road 
to be good, it is opened in all inllences on the best 
ground is hard to ditermin. in a covered Country 
altho great pains is taken we must be very fortunate 
if we dont fall into many errors. — 

I have the honor to be with great Refpect 
Sir your most obedient 
The Honb^ Serv* 

Oliver Wolcott Esq"" 
Secretary of the Treafury 

LETTER TO M'* WOLCOTT 

Marietta January i8'h 1798 
Sir 
, I herewith forward my account for the Last quar- 

'^ ter of the year 1797, with Sundry Vouchers of pay- 

ment, among the Items you will observe two hun- 
dred & fifty Dollars paid to W™ Rufus Putnam ^ for 
his Servis fix months as Clark or afsistent in the Sur- 

1 William Rufus Putnam was the eldest living son of General Putnam. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 421 

veyor Generals office. In your letter of the 14*^ of 
March Last you observe " that a Clark would be 
necessary " and whoe-^^er will attend to the require- 
ments in the latter part of the Second Section of the 
Law which points out the duty of the Surveyor Gen- 
eral, must be convinced that he must have a Clark 
or afsistent in his office capable of Protracting & 
casting the contents of Platts in the first inllence as 
well as Copying and recording plans & minuts in a 
neat & accurate maner That without fuch an afsist- 
ent it will be impoflible that the requirments of the 
Law can be complied with in a reafonable time & 
maner. 

I am fencible there is no exprefs provision for 
Clarkship in this office but from the mode of expref- 
ion in that part of the Law above mentioned (viz to 
Cause certain things to be don) as well as the Num- 
ber of Plans & Descriptions to be made and re- 
corded, with the number of Copies it is incumbent 
on the Surveyor General to furnish ; one of which is 
to be keept open at his office for public information : 
I even concived that the Necefsary expence of Clark- 
ship was to be alowed togather with Stationary as 
in other departments : under this imprefsion I ac- 
cepted the office and althoe you informed me that 
you was not authorized to Stipulate for the United 
States in this bufmefs, yet in confidence that Con- 
grefs would authorize any necefsary and reafonable 
expence (as foon as the businefs of the department 
was fo far advanced as to require it) I contracted 
with M' Putnam at the rate of Five hundred dol- 
lars a year : an allowance as moderate I believe as 
any person capable of the businefs can be procured 
for 

If you are not already authorized to alow this and 



422 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the like Charge for Clarkfhip in future I must request 
you to lay the matter before Congrefs for there con- 
sideration : that I may in future govern my felf agre- 
ably to there Ditermination ; when the expence of 
the frequent tours which I have and fhall be obliged 
to make in to the woods and which are unavoidable 
in the due execution of the Surveys — the expence of 
attending the Sales of Land at Pitts burge & Cincin- 
natia, with the ocational Jornies that must be mad to 
the Seete of Govermt with all the expence of keep- 
ing an office open &c &c are deducted from the pre- 
sent Sallery : the ballance remaining will be found to 
be but a very moderate compenfation for the time & 
Servis of any man capable of fulfilling the dutis of 
the office of Surveyor Gen^ and therfore I trust it will 
not be expected that I should Charge myfelf with 
the expence of a Clark with out an alowance from 
Govermt therefor — 

Stationary is another article I ever expected would 
be furnished on public account, by your direction 
M*^ Nourse has furnished me with fome paper and 
Minute Books I wish to know if I am to apply to 
him for what Stationary I may want, or if I am at 
liberty to fupply my felf and Charge the United 
States — 

In my Letter of December 2*^ ^ I informed you that 
two of the Surveyors employed in runing out the 
Military tract had completed there work in the woods 
(these ware, Mathews and Jackson who had the two 
Smaller or midle Districts) Ludlow, Martin & Biggs 
I have heard northing from for feveral months the 
Severity of the Season I fear must have driven 
them out of the woods before they compleated there 

1 Page 419. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 423 

work, and if fo they will not be able to make there 
return before the opening of the Spring — 
I am with great Refpect 
Sir your most obedient 
Servent 
Honbi 
Oliver Wolcott Esqur Secretary of the Treafurey 

LETTER TO M'* WOLCOTT 

Marietta March 9th 1798 
Sir 

I have lately recived a Letter from Capt Ludlow 
informing me that he had compleated the Survey of 
the Western District of Military lands and that his 
returns will be ready in a Short time. — 

Martain and Biggs have disappointed me exceed- 
ingly they both commenced there Surveys last June 
and by contract were to compleat them in four 
months which they might eafily have don if no mif- 
fortune or negligence had taken place, their Districts 
were feperate althoe their Contract was Jo[i]nt. 
Martain is more then two thirds in arear and Biggs 
neerly one half. Capt Biggs excufe is that he was 
taken Sick the Second of August and obliged to re- 
tire from the woods and was not able to reafume his 
work untill the 23^ of October and that he was 
obliged to quit again on the 22<^ of November on ac- 
count of the Severity of the wether : he afsures me 
that he will be out again this Spring as Soon as the 
Season will permit 

Capt Martain I have not yet Seen : but learn that 
he left the woods fometime in July or august and has 
not ben out Sence of which circumflance I had no 
notice untill within a few weeks his excufe is Sick- 



/ 



424 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

nefs in his Family : but I find this must have ben late 
in the fall and I apprehend after the time had elapsed 
which by contract he ought to have compleated his 
work in the field : Capt Martin has formerly exe- 
cuted fome fiirveys for the united States with accu- 
racy and punctuallity which induced me to give him 
a District in preference to fome others but at prefent 
I am quite dissatisfied with his conduct and if he 
does not exert himfelf to compleat [the] Survey of 
his District early this Spring I Shall employ fome 
other means to effect it 

With Refpect to the other public lands my inten- 
tion is to Survey in the Course of the present year 
all the lands lying fouth of the Military tract and 
west of the Ohio Companys purchas and the Seven 
Ranges extending Westward as far as the Sioto 
River, eilemated at about 3.150.000 acres the Sur- 
vey of this tract will employ Six Surveyrs and 
arangements are makeing accordingly — 
I alfo propose to Survey in the course of the present 
year that tract of land lying below the Great Miami 
River and above the mouth of Kentuckey River 
extending West toward the Indian boundary as far 
as Shall be judged prudent without giveing Caufe of 
alarm : at the Same time by runing out one or two 
Rangs of Townfhips on the West Side of the great 
Miami extending as far North a[s] Fort Recovery 
and the Fork of Lorimis [Loramie's] Creek I fhall 
be able to afsertain the true course of the Indian 
Boundary line without the Expenc of runing a ran- 
dom line as we ware obliged to do at the North- 
ward 

as Soon as this is don General Wilkenson will be 
notified of the time and place when & where we Shall 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 425 

be ready to commince runing the Indian boundary 
line from the Fork of Loremies Creek to Fort Re- 
covery and thence to the ohio agreably to Gen^ 
Waynes Treaty — 

As Soon as the Indian boundary lines are com- 
pleated it is intended to compleat as Soon as may be 
the Survey of the whol tract of land west of the great 
Miami included within thofe boundary Lines 
I have the honor to be with due refpect 
Sir 

your obedient 

Servent 

RuFus Putnam 
The Honbi 
Oliver Wolcott Esqr Secretary of the Treafury 

m'' wolcotts letter 

Treasury Department 

June I St 1798. — 
Sir. 

Your letter of the 21^* of April last, has been duly 
received. — 

It is to be regretted, that the progrefs made in the 
Survey of the military lands, has not been such as I 
had reason to expect — I shall fully rely upon your 
exertions for urging the persons employed in that 
businefs to complete their Districts so as to enable 
you to return a general platt to this Office. 

I have not seen your letter of the 18*^ of January 
last,^ enclosing your Accounts — With respect how- 
ever to the charge for Clerkship, I can only observe, 
that altho' no exprefs provision has been made by 

1 Page 420. 






426 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Law for that object, I am of opinion — that the af- 
sistance of a Clerk is indispensably necefsary. — 
I am with consideration 
Sir, 
Your mo : Obed* Serv* 

Oliv: WOLCOTT. 
RuFUS Putnam Esq*"^ 

Surveyor General of the 
United States 
Marietta — 

FROM M" PICKERING 

Department of State, August 2, 1798. 
Sir, 

You will doubtlefs have observed in the newspa- 
pers a resolve of Congrefs directing the printing and 
distribution of ten thousand copies of the instruc- 
tions to and dispatches from the Envoys of the U. 
States to the French Republic, under the orders of 
the Secretary of State. The object of the resolve is, 
to communicate such important information to the 
citizens of the United States ; " particularly in such 
parts thereof wherein the difsemination of informa- 
tion, through the medium of news-papers, is most 
obstructed." The most beneficial distribution, I have 
thought, could be made by some well informed and 
faithful citizen in each state. To such gentlemen I 
have concluded to transmit them. And to render the 
distribution easy and expeditious, I have caused them 
to be made up in packets of five and ten and franked 
them ; so that the persons to whom I send them, 
may have no other trouble than to direct the packets 
to gentlemen, in all parts of their respective states, 
on whose care and fidelity they can rely, for the most 
prompt and useful distribution to individual citizens ; 
who after reading the dispatches themselves, will put 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 427 

them into the hands of their neighbours ; to give all 
pofsible extent to the important knowledge the dis- 
patches will convey. 

Having given this explanation of the views of 
Congrefs, and of my own ideas of the best manner 
of fulfilling them, you will permit me to transmit to 
you the packets mentioned below destined for distri- 
bution in the Marietta District, and to request that 
you will have the goodnefs to complete their super- 
scription, and put them into the proper train for 
conveyance. 

As the gentlemen to whom you will addrefs the 
packets will need information of the design and plan 
of distributing these pamphlets, and it would be too 
troublesome for you to write a letter to each, I send 
herewith as many printed and franked copies of a 
letter, adapted to the object, to be signed by you, as 
there are packets committed to your care. I think 
it will be a fair construction of the resolve, to dis- 
tribute the pamphlets not only where few or no news- 
papers circulate, but where news-papers of a tendency 
to mislead, by their falsehoods and misrepresentations 
have the freest circulation : for by such the correct 
"information" meant by Congrefs to be difsemi- 
nated, is " most obstructed " 

I have the honor to be 
P. S. I send 100 copies to "^ with great respect 
Gov'' S* Clair, to be distributed (^ Sir, 
in the lower country 
of the N. W. Territory 



your ob* serv* 
T. Pickering 



2 Packets containing 10 copies each — 20 
6 Do Do 5 Do— 30 



50 
General RUFUS PUTNAM. 



M 



428 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 



LETTER FROM M" WOLCOTT 

Treasury Department 

Trenton September 24, 1798. 
Sir, 

It has been represented to me, that a number of 
Persons from Kentucky, have formed an intrusive 
settlement on the lands lying Northwest of the Ohio 

— and above the mouth of the River Kentucky, in 
which the titles, of the Indian Tribes have been ex- 
tinguished by the Treaty with General Wayne on 
the third of August 1795. 

It being of the utmost importance to the United 
States, that all such lawlefs proceedings should be 
checked at the first outset — I have to request, that 
you will immediately take measures for ascertaining 
how far this representation is correct, and report the 
result of your enquiry to me. — 

I hope you will be able to return the plans of the 
military lands in November next as mentioned in 
your letter of the 3^^ of August last — that I may 
have it in my power to make a report thereon to 
Congrefs early in the Sefsion. 

Enclosed is a packet for Jacob Burnet Esquire 
which you will be pleased to have conveyed to him. 

— It was rec*^ by me from M*^ Boudinot Director of 
the Mint 

I am 
Sir, 

very respectfully 

Your Mo : Obed* Serv*. 
Oliv Wolcott. 
RuFUS Putnam Esq. 
Surveyor General 
of the United States. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 429 

/ 

LETTER TO M" WOLCOTT \/ 

Marietta October 30th 1798 
Sir 

Sence reciveing your Letter of the 24**^ of Septem- 
ber 1 I have had information, which may be depended 
on, that many persons have Set them Selves down 
on the Lands of the United States Northwest of the 
Ohio, perticulerly in that tract lying Westerly of the 
ohio & Big Miami rivers & above the mouth of Ken- 
tucky river in which the titles of the Indian Tribes have 
ben extinguished. And also on the Easterly Side of 
the Sioto River it is Supposed the intrusive Settlers 
in these two districts amount to three hundred Fami- 
lies, it is Said they are chiefly emigrent from Ken- 
tucky and are daily increaseing 

I am alfo informed that the profefsed designe of 
the first of these Settlers was to purchas the lands on 
which they Set down as they Should be offered for 
Sale by the United States ; but of late there are Some 
efpecially among the later emigrents from Kentucky 
who Say they mean to hold the Lands for Settling on 
without purchasing ; provided there numbers Should 
increese So far as to give them a prospect of Suc- 
ceeding in a meafure of that kind I do not under- 
stand that thefe sentem[en]ts are genrally & pub- 
lickly avowed but I have it from a gentleman of whose 
verrafaty I can not doubt that Such Sentem[ent]s 
have ben exprefsed to him by Some of them 

Besides thefe kind of Settlers in the places above 
described there are prehaps 50 or more Scattering 
families on the Waters of the Muskingum & other 
parts of the country, East of the Sioto who I believe 
have no connection with the other no [r] do I con- 

1 Page 428. 



430 OFFICIAL CORRESPO^^DENCE 

cive there is any Mifchief to be apprehended from 
them except the damage they may do in cultivating 
the land or destroying the timber belonging to the 
public 

Y' 

R Putnam 

O WOLCOTT Es 



TO J HABERSHAM 

Marietta February 26* 1800 
Sir 

I herewith prefent you with a plan of a part of 
the Southeast division of the Northwest Teritory 
in which the local Situation of all the places in the 
Teritory, therein delineated, have ben afsertained by 
actual Survey and the roads & distences from place 
to place may in general be depended on being in 
most cafes afsertained by the boundary Lines of the 
Towns and Sections through which they pafs (except 
between the Sioto and little Miami Rivers of which 
tract of Country I have not any Minuts or plans of 
Survey & therefore the courfe of the roads and dis- 
tences in this quarter are noted according to the in- 
formation recived from others — the local Situation 
of the Post Towns noted in the plan, Situate in 
Pennfylvania &c is taken from Bradleys General Map 
of the United States, Except the distence from Mari- 
etta to Clarks burgh which has ben Meafured — 

a roade from Belleprie by Gallipolis to the mouth 
of Sioto was opened the last fall and a mail may 
now be very well carried by land from Wheeling by 
Marietta to Washington in Kentucky and the dis- 
tence but nineteen miles further then by the rout the 
Mail at prefent Travels, the people on the Ohio are 
daly increasing very fast & new Towns & Counties 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 431 

forming on both Side the river which at prefent re- 
cive Httle or no advantage from any public Mail 

except a few in the Vicinity of Marietta 

I Should have wrote you on the Subject much 
fooner but waited to be fully afsertained of the road 
from Gallipolis to the mouth of Sioto being opened 
and the pratability of a Mail pafsing by that rout 
I am with due confideration 
Sir your obedient 
Servent 

R Putnam 
Joseph Habersham Es 



FROM M*^ GALLATIN 



e_i4-^ 



Treasury Department 

June 26th 1802 V 
Sir 

A Law of last Sefsion having authorized the Sec- 
retary of the Treasury to lay out roads in the North- 
western Territory, and having concluded to have 
one opened from Marietta in a North-easterly direc- 
tion, I wish to know to which spot it would be most 
eligible to direct the same ; due regard being had to 
the nature of the ground, to the advantage resulting 
to the inhabitants principally of Marietta and its vicin- 
ity, and to the effect it may have in promoting the 
sales of the public lands. — S* Clairville, and the 
mouth of Wheling have appeared to me on a general 
view of the Map to be the most eligible. — I wish 
also to know what the expense will be for laying out 
and opening the same ; on the two suppositions of a 
Waggon road twenty feet wide ; or, of a horse road 
twelve feet wide. — As to the laying out, it would be 
most eligible that it should be done by order of the 
two County Courts, the United States paying only 



432 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

the expense of the surveyor, which will leave so much 
more money to be applied to the opening of the road, 
and will secure its future maintainence. — 

Another road in contemplation is from Opposite 
the mouth of Grave-Creek by Lancaster, the mouth 
of Walnut-Creek, and that of Mad-River to the West- 
ern Indian boundary. — That part extending to the 
Scioto is at present the only one under consideration ; 
and if the ground is favorable, is to the United States 
the most eligible that can be opened ; as the whole 
of it runs in a Western direct course through the 
center of the public lands. — Any information you 
may be pofsefsed of on that subject will be accepta- 
ble ; and as connected with it, the knowledge of the 
several existing roads already opened or laid out 
through the country lying between the Scioto and the 
Steubenville district would be desirable. — 
I have the Honor to be 
with Respect 

Sir 
Your Obed* Serv* 

Albert Gallatin. 
RuFUS Putnam Esq ^ 
Surveyor General > 
Marietta J 

P. S. In order to improve this season, I authorize 
you, if the road from Marietta to S* Clairsville shall 
be thought the most useful in a northeasterly direc- 
tion from Marietta, to contract for the opening of the 
same at once, provided that that share of the expense 
of laying out & surveying which shall be defrayed 
by the United States, shall not, together with the 
expence of opening the same 20 feet wide fit for a 
waggon with a common load to travel, exceed six dol- 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 433 

lars per mile. Should a different course be more eli- 
gible, or the expense greater, you will be pleased to 
write the same to me, before you shall act thereupon. 

A. G. 
from m" gallatin 

Treasury Department 
August 9th 1802. 
Sir, 

M' P. Foster has communicated his intention of re- 
signing his office of register. The place is hardly 
worth having, though to a person residing in Marietta 
it may not be inconvenient to hold it. I will thank 
you to recommend two or three persons who may be 
willing to accept the appointment, and whose capa- 
city and integrity may be relied on. 
I am, very respectfully 
Sir, 

Your Obd* Servant 

— Albert Gallatin 
RuFus Putnam Esqr. 
Surveyor General 
Marietta 

TO M"* GALLATIN 

Marietta August i8th 1802 » > 

Sir V 

Conceiving it might be a Service aceptable to you 
I have taken the liberty to transmit extracts from the 
minutes of Survey defcribing the face of the country 
& quality of the Lands on & neer the courfes of the 
roads contmplated in your letter to me of June 26'^^ ^ 
and alfo on fome other courfes or routs for which in- 
quiery has ben made at my office by request of M' 
Hoge, Register of the Land office at Steubinville, &c 
&c 

1 Page 431. 



434 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Thefe extracts include a tract Several mile in wedth 
on each route defcribed ; and give a correct idea of 
the face of the country and quality of the Land : and 
by compairing them with the general plats in your 
office the probability of the fale of Lands on and neer 
thofe courses as well as the practicability of makeing 
roads may be better judged of then by any other 
means fhort of a perfonal view — 

Their is but little doubt of makeing a good road 
from Marietta to Wheeling ; by a pritty direct courfe 
to S* Clair-ville, the only difficulty apprehended is in 
the Sixth Townfhip of the Fifth Range, which has 
not ben Subdivided, if this proves broken & hilly, as 
reported, we may be obliged to keep more Westward 
and increafe the distence prehaps two or three mile ; 
at most 

From the ohio opposit to grave Creek on a line 
Westward to Lancester untill we enter the Sixth 
Range the lands are Said to be very hilly and broken 
however a way is opened by which they travel from 
Grave Creek &c to the Salt Springs of the Muskingum 
and from thence to the Muskingum & Westward by 
different routes 

on the route from the ohio to Lancester after we 
arrive in the Sixth Township of the Sixth range the 
greatest difficulty in obtaining a pritty direct & tolla- 
rable good road I apprehend will be found neer the 
Muskingum river efpecially on the Westerly Side 
however I believe the difficulty of the Muskingum 
hills may be furmounted — 

In the course defcribed from the ford of Muskin- 
gum river at the foot of Duncans falls, to the falls 
of Hockhocking the Muskingum hills &c in the lo 
& 11*^ Townships of the 13*^^ Range are very high 
and the Country uncommonly broken, but it is pre- 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 435 

fumed that by winding the hills a pafsable road 
may be obtained and after entering the 14*^ Town- 
ship of the 14*^ Range I expect a good roade may 
be had to the falls of Hockhocking without much 
difficulty — 

From the Hockhocking river to Chillacothe the 
probability is that after falling into Dunmores path a 
little fouthward of the falls we must follow a winding 
course through the 18^^ iq*'' & 20^^ Ranges into the 
flat Country a few Miles north of Chillacothe — 

From the falls of Hockhocking to the Salt Springs 
of Scioto I have no information but what is obtained 
from the Minuts of Survey : from them the probability 
is that a pritty direct & tollarable good roade may be 
found — 

With refpect to the " existing roads already opened 
or Laid out through the country lying between the 
Scioto and the Steuben ville district" I can give but 
little information. I am told that a wagon road has 
ben opened from Georgetown on the ohio neer the 
Mouth of Little Bever, to Gnadenhutten on the Mus- 
kingum & is conliderably traveled and a horfe road 
from Gnadenhutten by or neer the river down to Zane- 
ville : alfo a road from Wakatomakato Scioto neer the 
mouth of Whetftone river and a roade from Zane- 
ville up Licking Creek to interfect the last mentioned 
road I have alfo ben informed that their is a horfe 
road opened from the ohio opposit Charlestown to 
the post road at the crofsing of Wills Creek thefe are 
all the roads North of the post road and properly 
lying between Steubenville diflrict and the Scioto that 
I have heard of worth mentioning and I prefume 
none of them have ben laid out or ellablished by legal 
authority — 

to the fouth of the post road ; belides the road 



436 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

already mentioned from Grave Creek to the Salt 
works ; a road has ben opened from the post road a 
few miles West of Wills Creek to the Salt works and 
a good Waggon road from thence to the Muskingum 
at the ford below Duncans falls : and from thence a 
horfe road was a few years Sence opened in a pritty 
direct courfe into the post road Some miles Eastward 
of Lancester 

A road has lately ben laid out by ordor of the 
County Court from Marietta to Zaneville which 
enters the public Lands in Section N*^ 33 Township 
N° 6 Range N° 9 leaving the old horse path to the 
West untill it approaches within five or six mile of 
the Salt works 

I have the honor to be with 
great refpect 
Sir 
your obedient Servent 
The Honbi 

Albert Gallatin Esquire 
Secretary of the Treafury — 

from mr gallatin 

Treasury department 
October 6 1802 

Sir. 

Your letter of the 23^ August was received during 
a temporary excursion to New-York. It had been 
delayed longer than was expected, and M'' Woods 
had received a commifsion before its receipt. 

The circumstance of the capacity of M' Edwin 
Putnam to fill the ofBce, was known to me, before I 
had written to you on the subject ; but there appeared 
some incompatibility in the son of the Surveyor 
General, being appointed Register of the Land-Office ; 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 437 

not that it was an objection which could not be over- 
come, for it was my intention to have recommended 
him to the President, if no respectable recommenda- 
tion could be obtained for another person ; but if 
another could be found, it was considered as more 
eligible. 

I have the honor 
to be, very respectfully 
Sir, 
RUFUS Putnam Esq' Your obed* Serv* 

Surveyor General ALBERT GALLATIN 

Marietta 

TO MR GALLATIN 

Marietta March 28th 1803 
Sir 

haveing communicated to the County Courts, of 
Wafhington and Belmont, your proposition of open- 
ing a road from Marietta to Wheeling by the way of 
S* Clairvill (exprefsed in your Letter to me of the 
26*^ of June last^) they in December last appointed 
Committes to examin the ground and lay the road : 
confident of the utility of this road : not only for the 
accommodation of the travel in general, but also 
in promoteing the Sale of the public Lands through 
which it pafses & that it would be a Saveing of ex- 
pence to employ a Surveyor in the first inllence I 
accordingly agreed to furnish one : which meafure 
I hope you will approve of 

this new road leaves an old one already opened, 
about five mile from Marietta & in about two mile & 
a quarter enters the public lands and continues in 
them to St Clairville except crofsing a few Sections 
neer that Town which have ben Sold — the Distence 

1 Page 431. 



438 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

Surveyed is Seventy mile & a few Chains — the Sur- 
veyors bills @ three Dollars per day while in the 
woods & two Dollars per day while making their 
returns amount to $84.50 — 

with refpect to the expence of opening the road I 
find different opinions among those who have viewed 
the ground : but none Suppose that a Waggon road 
can be made twenty feet wide for Six Dollars per mile 
including the Survey ; Some Suppose that it will cost 
double the labour on twenty feet wide that it would 
on twelve — on the whole I am of the opinion that four 
Dollars per mile for opening & makeing a pafsable 
Wagon road, twelve feet wide, is as low as may be ex- 
pected that people will contract and in that propotion 
for a greater wedth — and confidering the nature of 
the country in general through which this road pafses 
I am of opinion that an opening of fifteen feet wide 
will anfwer very well 

In ordor to have the work don at the lowest pofsi- 
ble rate I beg leave to Sugest the propriety of Some 
person being authorized (within Such limits as you 
Shall prescribe) to contract with the lowest bidder 
I have the honour to be 
with the highest refpect 

Sir your obedient Servent 

Albert Gallatin Esquire 
Secretary of the Treafury 

from m*» gallatin 

Treasury Department 
April i6~ 1803 
Sir 

Your letter of the 28*^ March ^ has been duly re- 
ceived. 

1 Page 437. 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 439 

As you have taken the pains of having the road 
from Marietta to S* Clairville surveyed, I will thank 
you to contract with the lowest bidder for opening 
the same, and making it pafsable for a waggon, pro- 
vided that the price shall not exceed five dollars per 
mile. The amount of that contract and the Account 
of the Surveyor, being both certified by you, will be 
discharged by the register of the land office at Steu- 
benville, who has received instructions on that sub- 
ject. — 

I am, very respectfully 
Sir, 

Your Obed : Servt 
— Albert Gallatin 
RuFUS Putnam Esq' 

Surveyor General 
Marietta. 

FROM M« GALLATIN 

Treasury Department 21 Septet 1803 
Sir 

The President of the United States having ap- 
pointed Jared Mansfield of Connecticut Surveyor 
General of the United States, I have to request, that 
on his arrival at Marietta, you will deliver over to 
him the public papers, records, documents & other 
public property in your pofsefsion, and take, in con- 
cert with him, such arrangements respecting the 
completion of contracts for surveying not yet fully 
executed, as will prevent any embarrafsment in the 
public businefs and in the setdement of the accounts. 
You will be pleased to consider yourself authorized 
to act till M'^ Mansfield's arrival at Marietta, at which 
time your salary will cease & his will commence. 
After that date, it will not be proper for you to make 



440 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

any further drafts on the Secretary of the Treasury ; 
but you will be pleased to transmit, as early as con- 
venient thereafter, your accounts to that time ; any 
balance of public monies then in your hands you 
will pay to your succefsor taking duplicate receipts 
for the same ; and if any balance should be due to 
you, it will, on the settlement of your accounts, be 
transmitted in a draft on one of the receivers of pub- 
lic monies. At what time M*^ Mansfield may reach 
Marietta, I cannot with precision determine, but pre- 
sume it will be within a month from this date. 

The agency in completing the road from Marietta 
to S* Clair' sville being altogether distinct from the 
office of Surveyor General, I wish, that you would, 
if not inconvenient to yourself, finish what relates to 
that object. 

I have the honour to be 
with great respect 
Sir 

Your obed* Serv* 
Albert Gallatin 
RuFUS Putnam Esq''^ 
Surveyor General 
Marietta 

TO M" GALLATIN 

Marietta February i8* 1804 
Sir 

M' Manllield arrived at Marietta the 25*^ of Octo- 
ber But did not take charge of bufinefs in the office 
untill the first of November, to which time I con- 
tinued in the office with my Clerks, have paid them 
accordingly & expect you will direct the payment of 
my Salary to that period — 

Your request to "deliver over the public papers 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 441 

records documents and other public property in my 
pofsefsion to" M"" Manffield "and take in concert 
with him fuch arangments refpecting the complea- 
tion of contracts for Surveying not yet fully executed 
as will prevent any embarrafment in the public buli- 
nefs and in the fettlement of the accounts " has ben 
attended to with as much care as I Should have don 
had I had the honour of refigning my office and M*" 
Manffield on my recommondation ben appointed to 
fucceed me ; prehaps you may imagine this conduct 
looks like pafsive obedience and nonrefistence, or 
that I am courting favor, mistake me not I have don 
no more then what I concive to be the duty of every 
public officer in like circumllances, and I am too in- 
dependent to be influenced by the prejudices of the 
times 

I had drawn for no more money then to balance 
my account closed to the 30*'' of September, therefore 
none to pay over to my Succefsor 

I have transmitted two accounts to the auditor for 
Settlement. N° i besides Clerk hire for the month 
of October last contains an account of contingent 
expences in my office of various items, Sence its 
first opening but I trust their is none but what have 
ben admitted as a good Charge against the United 
States in Similar cafes. . a few remarks may be necef- 
sary. the Charge for office rent is as low as ever 
paid in this town, the printing by M"" Collerick was 
Blanks for Leafing the referved fections, 203 leafes 
had ben ifsued and the remaining Blanks have ben 
delivered to M'' Mansfield, as the Law made no pro- 
vision for demanding a fee from the tennants, none 
was taken, the expence therefore I concive to be a 
good charge against the united States, efpecially as 
the Writing them out would have taken up much 
time of the Clerks — 



442 OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 

to pay the postage of the Registers returns, was 
an expence I could not avoid, as the Law required 
thefe returns to be made I was undoubtedly bound to 
recive them but furely Goverment could not intend 
that fuch expence Should entirely be born by her 
officers 

If any doubt is entertained with refpect to the 
weight of these returns it may in a Meafure be afser- 
tained by those in the office of the Register of the 
Treafury of which thefe are Copies. 

I have forwarded another account N° 2 for Service 
&c before I was appointed Surveyor General, & a 
tour in the Woods ifometime after on the fame bufi- 
nefs. I ought to have prefented this to M"" Wolcott 
when I was at Philadelphia in 1 799 but I forgot to 
take the papers with me at that time, and having 
contemplated paying a vifit to the Seat of goverment, 
I omitted Sending on the account untill now. — the 
amount of my claims are as follows 

viz. per account N° i $385.68! 

per do N*^ 2 62.20 

For my Salary for the month of October 

last i66.66| 

614-55 

I have to request that you will give fuch directions 
for the fettlement of thefe accounts as to justice ap- 
pertains, and for the balance found due to me please 
to forward a draught on one of the recivers of public 
moneys in this quarter — 

My Contract for opening the road to St Clairville 
was at five Dollars per mile 

70 mile I Ch" $350.06 

Expence of the Survey 84.50 

434-56 



OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE 443 

The undertakers report that they have compleated 
the work, this was the last of December and the Sea- 
fon has ben fuch Severe as to for bid my having the 
work examined, this however will be don before I 
draw any money from M"" Hoge 

M"^ Gallatin 

from m" gallatin 

Treasury Department 

April 25th 1804. — 

Sir, 

Two Accounts in your favor having been settled 
at the Treasury, one amounting to $245.82, being for 
your own and Clerk's Salaries, from the i^* to the 31^* 
day of October 1803, and one amounting to $62.20, 
being for your expenses & trouble in superintending 
the road from Wheeling to Limestone, in the year 
1796, the Treasurer has been directed to remit these 
sums to you in drafts on Elijah Backus late Receiver 
of public monies at Marietta. 

As it is pofsible that M"" Backus may have paid 
over the monies in his hands to his Succefsor, you 
will please in that case to apply to M*" Tupper, who 
is directed to pay the Drafts. 

I am, very respectfully 
Sir, 

Your obed : Serv* 
RuFus Putnam Esq"" — Albert Gallatin 

late Surveyor General. 



INDEX 



References to correspondence occupy the first paragraph ; letters written precede those 
received ; and the arrangement is chronological. 



Abercrombie, Gen. James, attack 
on Ticonderoga, 22-25. 

Acadians on the Mississippi, 41. 

Albany, N. Y., military importance, 
202. 

Ames, Fisher, to Putnam, ,1791, 
Indian war, protection and loy- 
alty, 250. — From Putnam, 1790, 
loyalty of the West, 234. 

Amherst, Gen. Jeffry, reputation, 
26 ; advance on Lake Champlain, 
26. 

Armstrong, John, children captured 
by Indians, 123. 

Army, Putnam's plan for peace es- 
tablishment, 198-215; strategic 
points and their control, 198-202 ; 
arsenal and school, 200 ; frontier 
posts and communication, 202- 
204 ; size and disposition, 204- 
206 ; pay and subsistence, 206, 
207 ; elimination of state lines, 
207 ; composition and regulation 
of militia, 208-214; arms, 214, 
215; general officers, 214. See 
also Indians, Northwest Terri- 
tory, Revolution. 

Ashley, Major Moses, in the Revo- 
lution, 96 n. ; interested in plan 
to settle on the Ohio, 225. 

Attorneys, necessary legislation on, 
in Northwest Territory, 310. 

Austm, , 160. 

Ayers, Elizabeth, Putnam's wife, 
marriage and death, 35. 

Ayers, William, Putnam's father-in- 
law, 35. 

Backus, Elijah, receiver of public 
moneys, 443. 

Batrd, Joseph, at Vincennes, 380. 

Bannister, Seth, captain in the Re- 
volution, 152. 

Barbee, , pursues Indians, 330. 



Barker, Joseph, 383. 

Battelle, Ebenezer, at Marietta, 

251- 

Beard, William, 382. 

Beaver Creek, Ohio, murder of 
friendly Indians on, 254. 

Beaver River, Pa., post at mouth, 
288. 

Bedel, Timothy, colonel in the Re- 
volution, 74. 

Belleville, W. Va,, Indian attack, 
232. 

Belpre, Ohio, settled, 109. 

Beman, Thomas, captain in the 
French and Indian War, 33. 

Benson, , 153. 

Big Bottom, Ohio, Indian attack, 
112,247, 250. 

Biggs, , surveyor, 422, 423. 

Blanchard, , plantation on the 

Mississippi, 42. 

Bodwell, Elijah, payment to, for 
blockhouse at Gallipoli.s, 384-386. 

Bonton, , 192. 

Boston, siege, 54-58. 

Bounty, trouble over town, to sol- 
diers, 91, 143-146. 

Bradstreet, Col. John, Abercrom- 
bie's quartermaster-general, 23. 

Brant, Joseph, Iroquois chief, in 
Philadelphia, 303, 313, 315, 318. 

Brewer, David, colonel in the Revo- 
lution, 54 ; dismissed, 133. 

Brooks, John, lieutenant-colonel in 
the Revolution, at Freeman's 
Farm, 68 ; on committee of griev- 
ances, 93 ; commands a regiment, 

94, 95, 97- 

Brown, H. Y., lieutenant in the 
French and Indian War, 17. 

Brown, Dr. , peace messenger 

to the Indians, 262. 

Browning, William, husband of Abi- 
gail Putnam, 36 n. 



446 



INDEX 



Buckingham, Ebenezer, husband of 

Catharine Putnam, 36 n. 
Bullard, Eleazar, 383. 
Burgoyne, Gen. John, campaign, 

67-73- , ^ 

Burlingame, Christopher, husband 

of Susanna Putnam, 36 n. 
Burnet, Jacob, 428. 
Burnham, Major John, at Gallipolis, 

110, III. 
Bums, educated Indian, incites war, 

252. 
Burr, Aaron, colonel in the Revolu- 
tion, 135, 136. 
Burrell, educated Indian, incites 

war, 252. 
Butler, Col. John, British Indian 

agent, 318. • 

Butler, Zebulon, colonel in the 

Revolution, 140. 

Camp, John, killed, 112, 247. 

Campbell, William, major in the 
Revolution, 151. 

Campus Martius, 105, 107. 

Canada, futile plan to invade, in 
1778, 74, 75 ; relation of the West 
to, 236. 

Carpenter, , plantation on the 

Mississippi, 42. 

Champlain, Lake, Amherst's cam- 
paign, 26; plan of defence, 201. 

Chapin, Gen. Israel, to Knox, 1792, 
Iroquois and the Indian war, 
316. 

Chapman's Station, Ohio, 409. 

Charleston, S. C, strategic impor- 
tance, 199. 

Cherokee Indians, friendship and 
subsidy, 261 ; outcasts, 261, 292 ; 
chiefs at Philadelphia, 336. 

Chester, Peter, governor of Florida, 
38. 

Chickasaw Indians, friendship, 261 ; 
military aid from, 332. 

Chillicothe, Ohio, route of proposed 
road to, 435. 

Chippewa Indians, reasons for join- 
ing the hostiles, 280. 

Choat, Francis, Indians capture, 
112, 248. 

Choat, Isaac, Indians capture, 112, 
248. 

Choctaw Indians, friendship, 261. 

Cincinnati. See Washington (Fort). 



Clark, Joseph, killed, 112, 247. 

Clark, Theophilus, ensign in the 
Revolution, 142. 

Clarksburg, W. Va., 430. 

Cleghom, John, 311, 312. 

Cleveland. See Cuyahoga River. 

Clinton, Gen. George, at White 
Plains, 62. 

Clinton, Sir Henry, reported excite- 
ment of, in 1781, 190, 191, 194. 
See also Revolution. 

Coburn, Major Asa, at Marietta, 
107. 

Coder, Rene, interpreter at Vin- 
cennes, 338 ; on the Viviat pur- 
chase, 378. 

Collerick, , printer, 441. 

CoUings, James, lieutenant in the 
French and Indian War, 11-13. 

Connecticut, British raid in 1781, 
190-194. 

Conner, Philip, British deserter, 
160. 

Constant, J. B., interpreter at Vin- 
cennes, 338. 

Cook, Nicholas, governor of Rhode 
Island, 58. 

Cool, Hymen, soldier in the Revo- 
lution, 187. 

Couch, James, killed, 112, 247. 

Council of Massachusetts, from Put- 
nam, 1780, recruiting, town boun- 
ties, 142. 

Courts-martial, necessary legisla- 
tion on, in Northwest Territory, 
310. 

Cow-boys in the Revolution, 184, 
189. 

Craig, Major Isaac, 387, 390, 401, 
407. 

Creek Indians, friendship and sub- 
sidy, 261. 

Croton River, N. Y., Putnam's de- 
tachment duty near, in 1780, 86, 
147-178. 

Crown Point, N. Y., French aban- 
don, 26 ; strategic importance, 
200. 

Gushing, Nathaniel, at Marietta, 
107 ; captain in the Revolution, 
167, 169. 

Cutler, Rev. Manasseh, contract 
with Duer, no, in. 

Cuyahoga River, Ohio, strategic 
importance, 203, 284-287, 289, 



INDEX 



447 



293-295 ; objections to post at, 
314.315- 

Darby, Samuel, major in the Revo- 
lution, 93, 

Davis, Deacon , of Boston, 89. 

Davis, Eliza, wife of Edwin Putnam, 
36 n. 

Davis, Jonas, killed, 115. 

Davis, William, 37. 

De Lancey, James, Tory comman- 
der, 158, 170, 185, 186. 

Delaware Indians, hostility sus- 
pected, III, 233, 248, 251, 252, 
319 ; speeches sent to, 269, 368 ; 
supposed hostile counsel, 280, 
281; move westward, 315. See 
also Indians. 

Denau, Pierre, messenger, 382. 

Despatches, British, to be inter- 
cepted, 188. 

Detroit, strategic importance, 202, 
294 ; as an Indian market, 408. 

Devol, Gilbert, station in Ohio, 409. 

Dexter, Ichabod, in the French and 
Indian War, 21. 

Donal (Donnell, Nathaniel?), cap- 
tain in the Revolution, 87. 

Dorchester Heights, Mass., forti- 
fied, 56-58. 

Doyle, Capt. Thomas, 382. 

Duck Creek, Ohio, settlement on, 
no. 

Ducoigne, John Baptist, Kaskaskia 
chief, speeches at Vincennes 
council, 339, 341, 355, 359. 

Dudley, Jonathan, Putnam's guar- 
dian, 9n. 

Duer, William, purchase from the 
Ohio Company, no, in, 116. 

Dumais, interpreter, 374. 

Education in the West, 244. 
Edward, Fort, N. Y., in 1757, 11- 

15; plan, 15; in 1777, 67. 
Edwards, Thomas, lieutenant in the 

Revolution, 93. 
Eel River Indians, at Vincennes 

council, 121, 335 ; peace, 263, 

296 ; speech to, 333 ; Wilkinson's 

expedition against, 346. See also 

Wabash Indians. 
Elliott and Williams, 383. 
Enos, Capt. Roger, trip to Florida, 

37- 



Erie, Pa. See Presqu' Isle. 

Erie, Lake, communication with the 
Ohio River, 203-206, 219, 220, 
243. 244. 284-290, 293-295 ; posts 
on, not desired, 314. 

Ettwein, John, Moravian bishop, 
418. 

Everett, Peletiah, ensign in the Re- 
volution, 142. 

Falmouth, Me., strategic impor- 
tance, 199. 

Farewell, Jonathan, killed, 112, 247. 

Felty, John, 382. 

Ferries, necessary legislation for, 
in Northwest Territory, 310. 

First Massachusetts Brigade, to 
Putnam, 1781, to present griev- 
ances, 182. 

Fish Carrier, Iroquois chief, and 
the Indian War, 317. 

Five Nations. See Iroquois. 

Fleury, F. L. de, lieutenant-colonel 
in the Revolution, 140. 

Florida, expected military grant in, 
36 ; exploration, 36-50 ; failure 
of grant, 53. 

Foot, , captain in the French 

and Indian War, 29. 

Foreigners, necessary legislation 
on, in Northwest Territory, 309, 
310. 

Forsyth, , commissary in the 

Revolution, 147. 

Foster, Peregrine, suggested for 
judgeship, 412 n.; resigns regis- 
tership, 433. 

'France, in the American Revolu- 
tion, 86, 189 ; relation with the 
western Indians, 342, 345, 347, 

348, 354, 358. 359- 

Freeman, murdered, 301. 

Freeman's Farm, N. Y., second 
battle, 67-73. 

French and Indian War, Putnam 
enlists, 1 1 ; around Fort Edward 
in 1757, 11-13, 15; capture of 
Fort William Henry, 13-15; de- 
sertionand overland winter march 
of Massachusetts troops, 16-21 ; 
Abercrombie's attack on Ticon- 
deroga, 22-25 ; Putnam enlists 
as a substitute, 25 ; Amherst's 
advance on Lake Champlain, 26; 
campaign of 1760, 34. 



448 



INDEX 



Frye, Joseph, colonel in the French 
and Indian War, 1 1 ; captured, 

15- 

Fuller, John, lieutenant in the Re- 
volution, 174. 

Fuller, Jonathan, grandfather of 
Putnam, 9. 

Gage, Gen. Thomas, in the French 
and Indian War, 23. 

Gallatin, Albert, secretary of the 
treasury, to Putnam, 1802, road 
survey and routes, 431 ; recom- 
mendation for register, 433, 436; 
1803, road contract, 438 ; removal 
from office, 439; 1804, account, 
440. — From Putnam, 1802, road 
survey and routes, 433 ; 1803, 
same, 437 ; 1S04, removal from 
office, account, 440. 

Gallipolis, Ohio, settlement, no; 
population in 1795, 123; Putnam 
has charge, 125; payment for 
defences at, 384-386 ; post-office, 
387, 389 ; postmaster, 392 ; sur- 
vey of public lands for French 
inhabitants, 409, 410. 

Gardner, Benjamin, captain in the 
Revolution, 142. 

Gates, Capt. Benjamin, at Free- 
man's Farm, 69. 

George, Fort, N. Y., built, 25. 

Georgetown, Pa., road to Gnaden- 
hutten, 435. 

Georgia, strategic importance, 199. 

Gilman, Joseph, territorial judge, 
411, 412 n. 

Girty, Simon, on war-path, 312. " 

Glover, Brig.-Gen. John, at Free- 
man's Farm, 68 ; on committee 
of grievances, 93. 

Gnadenhutten, Ohio, Christian In- 
dian town, 418 ; roads to George- 
town and Zanesville, 435. 

Goodale, Major Nathan, gallantry 
at Freeman's Farm, 69-73 ; ar- 
rives at Marietta, 107 ; killed, 
115. 

Goodale's Station, Ohio, 408. 

Goodrich, naval captain, 41. 

Graham, George, at Prestonville, 
Ky., 396, 404. _ 

Graham, John, at Prestonville, Ky., 
396, 404. 

Graves, Admiral Thomas, arrival 



at New York, 174; reported de- 
parture for Rhode Island, 177. 

Gray, Lieut. Archibald, Indian at- 
tack on, 253. 

Great Britain, accused of inciting 
the Indians, 119, 275, 281,285,294, 
342, 357, 377 ; relations with, in 
1792, 314; and the Indian lands, 
342. See also French and Indian 
War, Revolution. 

Greaton, Col. John, at Freeman's 
Farm, 68 ; leave of absence, 74, 
79 ; on grievance committee, 93 ; 
rank, 94 ; in 1780, 175; presides 
over brigade meeting, 182 ; com- 
mands foragers, 186. 

Greene, , contract for mail car- 
riage, 413-415; failure, 417. 

Greene, Gen. Nathanael, at White 
Plains, 63; tour in 1778, 79. 

Greenville, Ohio, 416. 

Gridley, Richard, colonel in the 
Revolution, 58. 

Griffin, James, British deserter, 160. 

Grosvenor, Thomas, major in the 
Revolution, 77, 78. 

Guitteau, Jerusha, wife of W. R. 
Putnam, 36 n. 

Habersham, Joseph, postmaster- 
general, to Putnam, 1796, mail 
route, 413. — From Putnam, 1800, 
map, new road, 430. 

Hale, , lieutenant-colonel in the 

Revolution, 77, 78. 

Half-pay, objections, 179. 

Hammond, , colonel in the Re- 
volution, 136. 

Hamtramck, Major J. F., command- 
ant at Vincennes, to Putnam, 
1792, preparation for Indian coun- 
cil, 320, 327. — From Putnam, 
1792, Indian council, 305 ; Indian 
goods, 380. 

Favors a council, 120; sends 
chiefs to Philadelphia, 121 ; to 
pacify the Indians, 262 ; agree- 
ment with chiefs, 263, 276, 282, 
293, 303 ; not suitable as peace 
commissioner, 323 ; witnesses the 
treaty, 366 ; to distribute presents 
to the Indians, 371. 

Hardin, , rumored preparation 

for raid on the Indians, 325. 

Hardin, Col. John, peace messenger 



INDEX 



449 



to the Indians, killed, 119, 274, 
292, 301, 311, 312. 

Harmar, Col. Josiah, proprietor in 
Ohio Company, 107 ; expedition 
against the Indians, no, 113. 

Harmar, Fort, treaty, 108, 249, 259. 

Haskel, Capt. Jonathan, 385. 

Hawks, Fort, Mass., 20, 21. 

Hazen, Moses, colonel in the Revo- 
lution, 74. 

Heath, Gen. William, to Putnam, 

1779, reconnoissance on Ver- 
planck Point, 80; 1780, promo- 
tions, 149; 1 78 1, detachment 
duty, 87 ; flour, 183 ; supplies, im- 
pressment, and instructions, 183, 
184 ; forage, De Lancey's move- 
ments, 186 ; supplies, parley, 
rank, 187 ; enemy's despatches, 
188 ; forage, 188 ; cow-boys, rein- 
forcement, 189; safety of com- 
munication, 189; raid in Con- 
necticut, 190, 192, 193 ; reinforce- 
ment, 195 ; officers to report, 195 ; 
reduction of force, 196; enemy's 
movements, 197 ; forage, 197. 

Hebecourt, Francis de, postmaster 
at Gallipolis, 392. 

Heckewelder, Rev. John, Moravian 
missionary, accompanies Putnam 
to the Vincennes council, 121, 264, 
268, 373 ; attends survey of lands, 
418. 

Henderson, Edward, wounded, 253. 

Hendrick, Stockbridge chief, peace 
messenger to the hostile Indians, 
119, 262, 263,270, 274, 291, 299, 
302, 313, 316, 321, 331. 

Henry, William, to attend survey 
of Moravian lands, 418. 

Hoge, David, register at Steuben- 
ville, Ohio, 433, 443- 

Holden, John (Levi), lieutenant in 
the Revolution, 176. 

Horton, , major in the Revo- 
lution, 170. 

Howe, George, Viscount, affection 
of soldiers for, 23 ; death, 23. 

Howe, Gen. Robert, to Putnam, 

1780, detachment duty at Croton 
River, N. Y., reinforcement, sup- 
plies, 147 ; movement to deceive 
the enemy, 149 ; works at Ver- 
planck Point, 151 ; intelligence of 
the enemy, 152; defensive opera- 



tions, impressment, 155; con- 
tinuance of the detachment, 156, 
157 ; expected attack, 158 ; meet- 
ing, 162 ; retirement, 163 ; scout 
on enemy's movements, 164, 165 ; 
enemy's advance, 165 ; ravages, 
168 ; partisan stroke, clothing, 
171; flag of truce, 173; relief, 
excursion, expected attack, 176. 
— From Putnam, 1780, position 
of detachment, 148 ; enemy's po- 
sition, supplies, 1 50, 1 52 ; scout- 
ing parties, 153; impressment, 
157 ; deserters, 159, 160 ; reported 
victory in New Jersey, 161 ; re- 
tirement, 163 ; advance of the 
enemy, French fleet, 166, 167 ; 
enemy's position, clothing, 170; 
clothing, 172, 173; arrival of 
Graves, reduction of command, 
174; retirement of the enemy, 
176, 177. 
Movement on Verplanck Point, 

83- . . 

Hudson River, strategic impor- 
tance, 2CO. 

Hull, William, lieutenant-colonel in 
the Revolution, 176. 

Humble, Robert, British prisoner, 
167. 

Hunt, Thomas, captain in the Revo- 
lution, 195, 196. 

Huntington, Jedediah, general in 
the Revolution, 194. 

Hurlburt, Benona, killed, 114. 

Hutchins, Thomas, on western geo- 
graphy, 219, 283. 

Illinois River, post on, 218. 

Impressment of provisions, 184. 

Indians, prevent surveys in 1785, 
loi ; Fort Mcintosh treaty, 102 ; 
negotiation with the Penobscot, 
103 ; Fort Harmar treaty, 108, 
249, 259; raid in 1789, 109; Har- 
mar's expedition against, no, 
113, 248; militia guard of the 
Ohio Company, in 1790, no ; at- 
tacks on the Ohio Company set- 
tlements in 1791, n2, 114, 115, 
247i 253, 256; Ohio Company's 
militia and defensive measures, 
113, 114, 252, 271, 272; further 
losses of the Ohio Company, 115, 
123; defeat of St. Clair, 116; 



450 



INDEX 



cost of the war to the Ohio 
Company, 117, 118; Putnam in- 
structed to attend council of hos- 
tile, 119, 257-267; speeches sent 
to the hostile, 119, 268-271, 368- 
370 ; attempt to attend council 
fails, 119, 275, 277-279, 305; at- 
tack near Fort Jefferson, 119, 
273-275, 278, 291, 292, 312; sus- 
picion of British aid, 119, 275, 
281, 285, 294, 342, 357, 377; 
peace messengers and their fate, 
119,262-264, 270, 274, 277, 291, 
292, 296, 301, 303, 311, 313, 316, 
331,376; council with the Wa- 
bash, 130; tribes present at the 
council, 121 ; chiefs visit Phila- 
delphia, 121, 258, 265, 276, 318, 
336, 367, 372 ; Putnam's plan of 
posts to control, 202-206, 217- 
220, 242-245, 283-291, 293-295, 
314, 315; trade, 202, 217, 218, 
235. 240, 343, 349, 356, 357; 
attacks in 1790, 232, 233; fa- 
vorable disposition toward, of 
Ohio Company, 245 ; government 
measures against, 248-250, 254- 
256; dissatisfied over land pur- 
chases, 249 ; tribes concerned in 
the war, 251, 252, 319, 340, 346; 
murder of friendly, 254; govern- 
ment policy as to lands, 258-260, 
265, 282, 313, 354, 364, 369, 373, 
377, 378 ; reservations in Indian 
country, 258, 354, 355, 358 ;_ de- 
mand for peaceful behaviour, 
260 ; federal government to be 
explained to, 260 ; promise of 
protection, 260, 354, 364, 378 ; 
friendship with Iroquois and 
southern, 261 ; subsidies to, 261 ; 
government desire for peace, 261, 
262, 267, 313, 327, 331; desire 
of Wabash, for peace, 263 n., 264, 
267, 296 ; presents for, 264-266, 
272, 314, 322, 324, 362, 370, 371, 
374, 379-381 ; prisoners at Fort 
Washington released, 267, 273, 
298, 300, 304, 306, 316, 322, 333, 
337 ; plan to attack, on the San- 
dusky, 268 ; advisability of and 
preparation for council at Vin- 
cennes with western Indians, 
275-277, 279-282, 293, 297-309, 
3'3. 320-324, 333; fear of losmg 



their lands, 280-282, 342, 343, 

345. 347. 349. 351. 356; termina- 
tion of the hostile council, 282 ; 
Iroquois and the war, 282, 316- 
319, 331 ; further effort to reach 
the hostile, 283, 288, 299, 302, 
313,322, 366, 368-370, 373, 375, 
376 ; St. Clair's wrong tactics, 
295, 328 ; war to continue, 296, 

299. 300. 302, 373. 375-377; 
speeches with the Wabash In- 
dians, 297-299, 307, 333, 334; 
hostile council, 319; blacksmiths 
and schools for the Iroquois, 
319; desire for gifts, 319, 343, 
350, 357 ; necessity of high civil 
agent to negotiate with, 323 ; re- 
port of intended private raid on, 
325 ; return of slaves held by, 
326, 364, 365 ; W^ayne's prepara- 
tions, 329, 332, 333 ; depredations 
continue, 330 ; uncertainty of 
peace or war, 330-332 ; aid from 
the Chickasaws, 332 ; sale of 
liquor to, at Vincennes council 
forbidden, 334 ; journal of Vin- 
cennes council, 335-362, 366, 367 ; 
Ohio River desired as boundary 
with the whites, 343, 349, 350, 
354-356; land policy of the 
French, 342, 345, 347. 348 ; Wil- 
kinson's expedition, 346 ; sale of 
lands to the French, 354, 355, 
358-560; signing of the Vin- 
cennes treaty, 361, 362; text of 
the treaty, 363-366 ; proceedings 
forwarded to Knox, 371; inter- 
pretation of the treaty, 377, 378 ; 
invalid sale to Wabash Land 
Company, 378 ; cost of Vincennes 
council, 382, 383 ; boundary line 
under Wayne's treaty, 424, 425. 

Ingersoll, Joseph, lieutenant-colo- 
nel in the French and Indian 
War, 26. 

Innes, Judge Harry, slaves of, held 
by Indians, 326. 

Iroquois Indians, subsidy, 261 ; 
chiefs at Philadelphia, 258, 318, 
336; and the Indian war, 282, 
316-319, 331 ; schools and black- 
smiths for, 319. 

Isle-aux-Noix, siege in 1760, 34. 

Ives, Col. , 412 n. 

Ives, Miss, of Salem, 411. 



INDEX 



451 



Jacko, interpreter, 374. 

Jackson, , surveyor, 422. 

Jackson, Henry, colonel in tlie Re- 
volution, 93. 

James, Thomas, Indian trader on 
the Mississippi, 45. 

James, William, killed, ii2, 247. 

Jeffers, Capt. John, 267. 

Jefferson, Thomas, Putnam's opin- 
ion, 100, 125; removes Putnam, 
125, 126. 

Jefferson, Fort, Ohio, Indian attack 
near, 119, 273-275, 278, 291, 292, 
312. 

Judd, William, 412. 

Kanawha River, Washington's ad- 
vertisement of lands on, 227- 
232. 

Kaskaskia Indians at Vincennes 
council, 121, 335. 

Kaweahatta, Eel River chief, 307, 

309- 
Kelly, James, killed, 115. 
Kelly, Joseph, Indians capture, 

"5- 

Kemper, Jacob, captain in the Re- 
volution, 187. 

Kerr, Matthew, killed, 114. 

Kickapoo Indians at Vincennes 
council, 121, 335. 

King, Capt. Zebulon, killed, 109. 

Kirby, Samuel, 382. 

Kiree, , quartermaster in the 

Revolution, 88 n. 

Knapp, Moses, major in the Revo- 
lution, 195. 

Knox, Gen. Henry, secretary of 
war, to Putnam, 1791, govern- 
ment aid against Indians, 249 ; 
troops, St. Clair, 254, 255 ; 1792, 
brigadier - generalship, instruc- 
tions for attendance at Indian 
council, 257 ; treaty with Wabash 
Indians, frontier defence, 313; 
1793, interpretation of treaty, 377 ; 
resignation, praise, 120. — From 
Gen. Chapin, 1792, the Iroquois 
and the Indian war, 316. — From 
Putnam, 1791, Indian war, 251, 
253,256; 1792, brigadier-general- 
ship, 118; speech sent to the 
hostiles, 267 ; Indian council, 
frontier defence, 280, 290, 292, 
295 ; advisability and preparation 



for Vincennes council, 301, 308, 
321 ; private raid on Indians, 
325; treaty, illness, continuation 
of war, 371 ; 1793, interpretation 
of treaty, 378; Viviat purchase, 
378 ; Indian presents, account, 
379 ; resignation, 384 ; payment 
for defences at Gallipolis, 384. 
At siege of Boston, 58. 

Knox, Fort. See Vincennes. 

Kosciuszko, Thaddeus, with Gates's 
army, 73. 

Krouch, Jean, Weya chief, death, 
298, 304. 333- 

Lafayette, Marquis de, and the plan 
to invade Canada, 74, 75. 

Lafayette, Fort. See Verplanck 
Point. 

La Loiras plantation on the Mis- 
sissippi, 40. 

Lancaster, Ohio, proposed road 
through, 432, 434. 

Land. See Indians, Northwest Ter- 
ritory, Survey. 

Langdon, Phoebe, 173. 

Lamed, Simon, captain in the Re- 
volution, 93. 

La Vans, Capt. de, 169. 

Learned, Ebenezer, captain in the 
French and Indian War, 11 ; de- 
serts with his company, 16, 22 ; 
overland winter journey, 17-21 ; 
colonel and general in the Re- 
volution, 22, 68; resigns, 94, 

133- 

Legislation, necessary in North- 
west Territory, 309-311. 

Limestone, Ky., station on mail 
route, 386; postmaster, 390. 

Lincoln, Gen. Benjamin, commis- 
sioner to Penobscot Indians, 103. 

Liquor, sale of, to Indians during 
council forbidden, 334. 

Loan certificates, value of, and the 
western lands, 224. 

Loramie's store, Ohio, 416. 

Loring, Jotham, colonel in the Re- 
volution, 134, 136. 

Ludlow, Israel, surveyor, 422, 423. 

Lyman, Gen. Phineas, in the French 
and Indian War, 24 ; and the 
land grant in Florida, 36. 

Lyman, Thaddeus, trip to Florida, 
37' 



452 



INDEX 



McCulloch's ferry on the Muskin- 
gum, 419. 

McDougall, Gen. Alexander, 1780, 
memorial to Congress on pay, 
178. — To Putnam, 1779, detach- 
ment duty, 134; 1 78 1, inspection 
of Stony Point, 88. — From Put- 
nam, 1779, detachment duty, 135. 
At White Plains, 64; com- 
mands West Point, 75 ; and the 
movement against Verplanck 
Point, 81-85. 

Mcintosh's plantation on the Mis- 
sissippi, 42. 

Mcintosh, Fort, treaty with the In- 
dians, I02. 

McKee, Capt, British Indian 
agent, 311. 

McKnight, Mary, Indians capture, 

329- 

Mail route on the Ohio, establish- 
ment, 386, 390, 391 ; boats and 
crews, 387, 388, 396, 397, 400- 
402 ; postmaster at Marietta, 388 ; 
importance of station at Scioto 
River, 389, 391, 393, 397 ; inefifi- 
ciency, 392, 393, 395, 398, 413- 
415; suggested improvements, 
393. 395-405; importance, 394; 
pay of carriers, 401, 404; land 
route desired, 405 ; Zane's route, 
414-416; renewed failure, 417; 
land route along the river, 430. 

Maine, Putnam's survey, 100-103 ; 
settlement of, desired, 224 ; valu- 
able for timber only, 245. 

Malliot, interpreter, 374. 

Mansfield, Jared, appointed sur- 
veyor-general, 126, 439; enters 
on duties, 440. 

Map, Indians misled by, 258 ; por- 
tion of Northwest Territory, 

430- 

Marietta, Ohio, survey and de- 
fences, 104 ; Campus Martius, 
105 ; post-office, 386 ; postmas- 
ter, 388 ; road to St. Clairsville, 
431-434, 437-440, 442; road to 
Zanesville, 436. See also Ohio 
Company. 

Marshall, John, error on battle of 
Freeman's Farm, 67, 68. 

Marshall, Col. Thomas (?), 398. 

Martin, William, surveyor, 410, 
422-424. 



Massac, Fort, importance, 202. 
Massachusetts, soldiers' grievances 

as to pay and clothing, 90-93, 

182 ; town bounties, 91, 143-146; 

opposition to the settlement of 

Northwest Territory, 224, 225, 

245-247. 
Massisioga Indians, council with 

the Iroquois, 318. 
Mathews, Daniel, Putnam's master, 

10. 
Mathews, John, surveyor, 107, 422 ; 

payment for Gallipolis defences, 

384-386. 
Mayee, J. P., interpreter at Vin- 

cennes council, 338, 374. 
Maysville, Ky. See Limestone. 
Mechin, , lieutenant in the 

Revolution, 130. 
Meeks, Isaac, killed with family, 

112, 247. 
Meigs, Col. R. J., at Marietta, 107. 
Meigs, R. J., Jr., postmaster at 

Marietta, 388, 391 ; to pay mail 

carriers, 401, 404; recommended 

for judgeship, 412 n. 
Meigs Creek, Ohio, settlement on, 

109. 
Mercer, Gen. Hugh, in New Jersey, 

59- 

Miami Indians, hostile, iii ; speech 
sent to, 368. See also Indians. 

Michilimackinac, Mich., military 
post, 202, 218. 

Mifflin, Gen. Thomas, reconnois- 
sance near New York, 60. 

Military Adventurers, meeting on 
land grant in Florida, 36 ;'^ ex- 
ploration, 36-50 ; attitude of 
Florida government, 38, 51 ; at- 
tempted emigration and failure 
of grant, 53. 

Militia, Putnam's plan for, composi- 
tion and control, 208-211 ; train- 
ing and pay, 211-213; length of 
service, 213; liability to duty, 
213; strength and activity in 
Ohio Company in 1791, 113; 
guard in Northwest Territory in 
1795, 405-409; rations, 406 ; pay, 
407 ; scouts and their rendez- 
vous, 407-409. 

Miller, , colonel in the French 

and Indian War, 29 ; in the Revo- 
lution, service in 1780, 147, 150, 



INDEX 



453 



154. 15s. 157. 161, 163, 164, 173. 

, .'75- 

Miller, John, Indian, brings news of 

rising, 252. 
Mills, Capt. William, at Marietta, 
^ 387. 391- 
Mingo Indians, supposed hostility, 

Mississippi River, lower, in 1773, 
39~5o > Putnam's computation of 
distances, 44 ; importance of free 
navigation, 234, 237-239. 

Missoutin Indians at Vincennes 
council, 121. 

Mitchell, George, postmaster at 
Limestone, Ky., 390, 395. 

Money, depreciation of paper, and 
soldiers' pay, 91, 182. 

Monroe, Col. George, at Fort Wil- 
liam Henry, 14. 

Montgomery, Fort, N. Y., 85, 140. 

Montreal, capture in 1760, 34. 

Moravian lands, survey, 418. 

Morgan, , at Marietta, 232. 

Morse, Capt. Joseph, at Freeman's 
Farm, 69. 

Moulton, George, British deserter, 

, 159- 

Muskingum River, Ohio, posts on, 
advised, 203, 290, 315. See also 
Marietta. 

Musquetan Indians at Vincennes 
council, 335. 

Myrick, , 183, 189, 

Nash, , 41. 

New London, Conn., British raid, 
191, 193. 

New Orleans as a market for the 
West, 234, 236-238. 

New York. See Revolution. 

New York City, fortifications, 59 ; 
evacuated, 60 ; strategic impor- 
tance, 199. 

Newbury, Ohio, 109, 408. 

Newhall, Ezra, lieutenant-colonel in 
the Revolution, 96 n. 

Newport, R. I., Putnam plans for- 
tifications, 55, 58. 

Niagara, Fort, N. Y., importance, 
202, 218. 

Nixon, Gen. John, at Freeman's 
Farm, 68, 69 ; winter quarters, 79 ; 
movement on Verplanck Point, 
82-85 ; resigns, 94. 



Northwest Territory, army officers 
petition for land, 100, 215, 216; 
the Indians and the survey, loi, 
232 ; establishment of govern- 
ment, 107 ; defence and communi- 
cation, 202-206, 218-220, 242-245, 
250, 283-291, 293-295, 314,315; 
conditions of settlement desired 
by army officers, 221, 225 ; protest 
against large individual grants, 
222 ; opposition of Massachusetts 
to settlement, 224, 225, 245-247 ; 
delay in opening for settlement, 
226 ; outlaws, 233 ; navigability 
of rivers, 283 ; necessary legisla- 
tion in 1792, 309-311; militia 
guard in 1795, 405-409 ; character 
and appointment of judges, 411, 
412; squatters, 428-430. See also 
Indians, Mail, Ohio Company, 
Roads, Survey, West. 

Nourse, Joseph, register, comment 
on removal of Putnam, 126. 

Nuisances, necessary legislation on, 
in Northwest Territory, 310. 

Number Four, Fort, Mass., 34. 

Odell, Jonathan, 153. 

O'Hara, Col. James, 388. 

Ohio Company, organization, 102; 
journey of first settlers, 103, 104; 
survey and defences of Marietta, 
104 ; first planting, 105 ; allotment 
of land, 105-109 ; settlers in 1788, 
107 ; immigrants in 1789, 109 ; 
first Indian attack in 1789, 109; 
new settlements in 1790, 109; 
settlement contract with Duer, 
no, III, 116; French settlers, 
no, 123; defensive measures, 
no; immigration in 1790, iio; 
severe frost, in ; Indian attack 
in 1791, 112, 114, 115, 248-256; 
militia in 1791, 113; petition to 
Congress for relief, 115-117; In- 
dian war expenses, 117,118; pop- 
ulation in 1790, 122; deserters, 
122; additional land grant, 123; 
losses during Indian war, 123 ; 
defensive measures in 1792, 271, 
272. See also Indians, Mail, 
Northwest Territory, Roads, 
Survey. 

Ohio River, communication with 
Lake Erie, 203-206, 219, 220, 243, 



454 



INDEX 



244. 284-290, 293-295, 314, 315; 

mail route on, 386-405, 413-415, 

417. 
Oliver, Col. Robert, interest in Ohio 

Company, 215, 225 ; mill on Wolf 

Creek, 408. 
Ontario, Lake, communication with, 

220. 
Oswego, N. Y., importance of post, 

202, 218. 
Ottawa Indians, speech sent to, 

269 ; at Vincennes council, 345. 
Outlaws on the frontier, 233. 

Page, William, captain in the 
French and Indian War, 26, 32. 

Paijet, Guillaume, messenger, 382. 

Pantoosuck, Fort, Mass., 22. 

Parsons, Gen. S. H., director of 
Ohio Company, arrives at Mari- 
etta, 106; territorial judge, 107. 

Paterson, Gen. John, to Putnam, 

1782, question of resignation, 95. 

Movement on Verplanck Point, 

83-85- 

Patten, James, Indians capture or 
kill, 112, 247 ; pilot on the Ohio, 
382. 

Pay memorial of officers in the Re- 
volution, 178-182. 

Penobscot, Me., strategic impor- 
tance, 199. 

Penobscot Indians, commission to, 
103. 

Pensacola, Fla., in 1773, 38. 

Pensions for officers' widows asked, 
180. 

Peoria Indians at Vincennes coun- 
cil, 121, 340. 

Perth Amboy. See South Amboy. 

Peters, Capt. William, 380, 382. 

Piankeshaw Indians at Vincennes 
council, 121, 350. 

Pickering, Timothy, postmaster- 
general, secretary of war and of 
state, to Putnam, 1794, mail route 
on the Ohio, 386, 387, 390, 391 ; 
1795, same, 395, 404 ; militia 
guard, 405 ; 1796, surveyor-gen- 
eral, territorial judges, 411 ; 1797, 
mail route, 417 ; survey of Mora- 
vian lands, 418 ; 1798, X. Y. Z. 
mission, 426. — To Col. Sproat, 
1795, militia guard, account, 406. 
— From Putnam, 1794, mail 



route, 388, 392 ; 1795, same, 
397,398; 1796, surveyor-general, 
412. 

Pittsburg, importance of post, 202 ; 
communication with Lake Erie, 
203. 

Piatt, Richard, major in the Revo- 
lution, 135 ; treasurer of the Ohio 
Company, held for debt, 116. 

Point au Feu, N. Y., strategic im- 
portance, 201. 

Pool, Samuel, lieutenant in the 
French and Indian War, 22. 

Portland, Me. See Falmouth. 

Postmaster-General. See Haber- 
sham, Pickering. 

Pottawatomie Indians at Vincennes 
council, 121, 329, 335; speech 
sent to, 320. 

Presqu' Isle, strategic importance, 
203, 285. 

Prestonville, Ky., mail station, 396. 

Prior, Lieut. Abner, conducts In- 
dians to Philadelphia, 121 ; at 
Vincennes, 338. 

Proctor, Col. Thomas, peace mes- 
senger to Indians, 262. 

Putnam, Abigail, daughter of Ru- 
fus, 36 n. 

Putnam, Ayres, son of Rufus, 6 ; 
death, 35. 

Putnam, Catherine, daughter of Ru- 
fus, 36 n. 

Putnam, Daniel, son of Israel, 8 ; 
descendant, 8 ; trip to Florida, 

37- 

Putnam, Edwin, son of Rufus, 6, 
36 n. ; descendants, 7 ; recom- 
mended as register, 436. 

Putnam, Elizabeth, daughter of Ru- 
fus, 36 n. 

Putnam, Ezra, killed, 112, 247. 

Putnam, Franklin, son of Rufus, 6, 
36 n. 

Putnam, Gen. Israel, genealogy, 7, 
8; at Fort Edward, 13; general- 
ship, 13 ; trip to Florida, 37 ; at 
West Point, 75. 

Putnam, John, emigrates to Amer- 
ica, 3 ; descendants, 3-8. 

Putnam, Martha, daughter of Rufus, 
36 n. 

Putnam, Persis, daughter of Rufus, 
36 n. 

Putnam, Rufus, 1783, memorandum 



INDEX 



455 



on a peace establishment, 198. 

— To , 1791, Indian war, 

247. — To citizens of Vincennes, 
1792, sale of liquor to Indians, 
334. — For correspondence with 
Fisher Ames, Council of Massa- 
chusetts, Delaware Indians, Eel 
River Indians, First Massachu- 
setts Brigade, Gallatin, Haber- 
sham, Hamtramck, Heath, Robert 
Howe, Knox, McDougall, Pater- 
son, Pickering, Sargent, Sproat, 
Joseph Thompson, Charles 
Thomson, Wabash Indians, 
Washington, Wayne, Waterbury, 
Wea Indians, Wells, Wilkinson, 
Wolcott, see these names. 

Genealogy, 3-8 ; parents, 9 ; 
birth and early years, 9, 10 ; guar- 
dian, 9 n. ; lack of education, 10 ; 
apprenticeship, 10 ; enlists in 1757, 
II ; religious views, 11, 22, 25, 31, 
35, 124; at Fort Edward, 11-16; 
scout, 11-13; deserts, 16, 17; 
overland winter journey, 17-21 ; 
enlists in 1758, 22; in Abercrom- 
bie's attack on Ticonderoga, 22- 
25 ; enlists in 1759 as a substitute, 
25, 25 n.; with Amherst, 26; has 
charge of a sawmill, 27, 28, 34 ; 
not paid for extra services, 28, 31 ; 
adventure on Lake George, 29, 
30; abjures soldiering, 31, 35; 
settles in New Braintree, 32 ; re- 
cruits a company in 1760, 32; 
commissioned ensign, 33 ; in cam- 
paign of 1760, 33, 34; and Major 
Skean, 34 ; millwright, 35 ; stud- 
ies surveying and navigation, 35; 
first marriage, 35 ; death of wife 
and son, 35 ; second marriage, 
36; children, 36 n.; interested in 
Florida land grant, 36 ; journey 
to Florida and on the Mississippi, 
36-53 ; estimate of distances on 
the Mississippi, 44. 

In the Revolution : commis- 
sioned lieutenant-colonel, 54; 
plans fortifications before Boston, 
54, 55 ; and at Newport, 55, 58 ; 
recommissioned lieutenant-colo- 
nel, 56; devises plan to fortify 
Dorchester Heights, 56-58 ; or- 
dered to New York, 58, 129 ; lays 
out defences of New York City, 



59 ; appointed engineer, 59 ; re- 
connoissance report causes aban- 
donment of New York City, 60 ; 
plan for corps of engineers, 60, 
61 ; reconnoissance before battle 
of White Plains, 61-64 ! examina- 
tion of the country in rear of the 
army in New York, 65, 129; colo- 
nel of a Massachusetts regiment, 
66 ; recruits his regiment, 67 ; 
campaign against Burgoyne, 67 ; 
second battle of Freeman's Farm, 
67-69 ; and Kosciuszko, 75 ; win- 
ter quarters at Albany in 1777, 
73 ; superintends West Point for- 
tifications, 73-75; in temporary 
command of the brigade, 74, 79 ; 
preparation for invasion of Can- 
ada, 74, 75 ; posted in Connecti- 
cut in 1778, 76; reconnoitres 
routes in Connecticut, 76-79 ; re- 
connoissance for cantonments, 
79; winter quarters in 1778, 79; 
special duty at Croton River in 
1779, 79, 134-137 ; leave of ab- 
sence, 79, 86, 94 ; reconnoissance 
on Verplanck Point in 1779, 80- 
83, 137-140; commands regiment 
of light infantry under Wayne, 
85 ; erects battery on site of Fort 
Montgomery, 85, 140; tour to 
South Amboy, 85, 141, 142 ; com- 
mands detachment at Croton 
River in 1780,86, 147-178; de- 
tachment duty in 1781 before 
New York City, 87, 183-198; 
selects winter quarters, 87 ; ex- 
amines works at Stony and Ver- 
planck Points, 88 ; appointed on 
grievance committees, 89, 93 ; 
efforts to prevent mutiny, 89 ; so- 
licits relief for the soldiers and 
prisoners from Massachusetts 
government, 89, 142-147 ; on for- 
age commission, 93 ; promotion 
or resignation, 94-98 ; brigadier- 
general, 99 ; furlough and dis- 
charge, 99 ; evidences of Wash- 
ington's friendship, 99 ; question 
of rank, 130-134. 

In the West : territorial judge, 
99; surveys in Maine, 100-103; 
appointed surveyor of western 
lands, 100, 232 ; sends substi- 
tute, loi, 102 ; joins Ohio Com- 



456 



INDEX 



pany, 102 ; commissioner to 
Penobscot Indians, 103 ; serves 
against Shays, 103 ; justice of the 
peace, 103; representative, 103; 
appointed superintendent of Ohio 
Company's settlement, 103 ; win- 
ter journey to the Ohio, 103, 104; 
surveys and lays out defences at 
Marietta, 104, 105 ; and the land 
allotment, ic6; contract with 
Duer, no, in, 116; takes his 
family to Marietta, in; activity 
for new settlements, in n. ; ap- 
pointed brigadier-general, 118, 
257 ; instructed to attend hostile 
Indian council, 119, 257-267 ; 
sends speech to hostile Indians, 

119, 268-271; attempt to attend 
council fails; 119, 273-275, 278, 
291, 292, 312 ; invites western 
tribes to council at Vincennes, 

120, 298, 307, 308; council with 
the Indians at Vincennes, 120, 

121; 335-367. 370-374» 377-383; 
resigns military office, 120-122, 
384; illness at Vincennes, 121, 
372 ; surveys lands for French at 
Gallipolis, 123, 125, 410 ; ap- 
pointed superintendent of surveys 
by Ohio Company, 124; interest 
in establishing a mail route on 
the Ohio, 124, 386-405, 413-418 ; 
consulted by cabinet officers, 125 ; 
superintends laying-out of Zane's 
road, 125, 419, 420; surveyor- 
general, 125, 411-413 ; removed 
from office, 125, 126, 439-441 ; 
opinion of Jefferson, 125, 126; 
plan for western defences, 202- 
206, 217-220, 242-245, 283-291, 
293-295, 314, 315 ; on western loy- 
alty, 234-247 ; remuneration for 
attending Indian council, 266 ; 
advisability of and preparation 
for Vincennes council, 275-277, 
279-282, 293, 297-309, 313, 320- 
324, 333 ; further effort to reach 
hostile council, 283, 299, 302, 322, 
366, 368-370, 373, 375, 376; plan 
for militia guard in 1795, 4°S~4°9 '< 
recommends men for judgeship, 
411, 412 n. ; to survey Moravian 
lands, 418 ; question of clerk hir- 
ing, 420-422, 425 ; plans for sur- 
veys in 1798, 424; asked to dis- 



tribute X. Y. Z. mission docu- 
ments, 426, 427 ; superintendence 
and advice on road-building, 431- 
439, 442 ; asked to recommend 
man for registership, 433, 436 ; 
account as surveyor-general, 441- 

443- 
Putnam, Susanna (Fuller), mother 

of Ruf us, 9. 
Putnam, Susanna, daughter of Ru- 

fus, 36 n. 
Putnam, William Ruf us, son of 

Rufus, 6, 36 n. ; descendants, 7 ; 

clerkship, 420. 
Putnam, Fort, at West Point, 75. 

Rations of officers in the Revolu- 
tion, 181. 

Recovery, Fort, Ohio, 424. 

Reed, Joseph, adjutant-general in 
the Revolution, 61. 

Register of land office, recommen- 
dation for, 433, 436. 

Revolution, beginning, 54 ; siege of 
Boston, 54-58 ; New York cam- 
paign of 1776, 59-65, 129; corps 
of engineers, 60, 66 ; battle of 
W^hite Plains, 61-65; Burgoyne's 
campaign, 67-73 ! defences at 
West Point, 73-75 ; plan to in- 
vade Canada in 1778, 74, 75; 
movements in New York in 1778, 
76-79 ; movement on Verplanck 
Point in 1779, 79-85, 137-140; 
battery at Fort Montgomery 
in 1779, 85, 140; reconnoissance 
from South Amboy, 85, 141 ; 
affairs around Croton River in 

1780, 86, 147-178; junction of 
French and American armies, 86 ; 
march to Virginia, 86 ; affairs in 
New York, August-October, 

1781, 87, 88, 183-198 ; grievances 
and claims of the officers, 89, 178- 
182; threatened mutiny in Massa- 
chusetts line, 89; relief of pris- 
oners, 89, 146; grievances of the 
Massachusetts line as to pay, 
clothing, and bounty, 89-93, 143- 
146, 182; pay for forage, 93; 
dissatisfaction over rank and pro- 
motion, 94-99, 130-134; officers 
petition for land north of the 
Ohio, 100; affairs at Croton 
River, February, 1779, 134-137 ; 



INDEX 



457 



impressment of cattle, 155-157, 
184; rumor of British defeat in 
New Jersey in 1780, 161 ; lack of 
clothing, 170-173; Graves's fleet, 
I74> 177 ; rumor of British ex- 
pedition to Rhode Island, 175; 
French fleet, 189; reported ex- 
citement of Clinton, in Septem- 
ber, 1781, 190; British raid in 
Connecticut, 190-194. 

Rhode Island, reported British ex- 
pedition to, 175, 177. 

Rice, Persis, Putnam's wife, 36. 

Rice, Judge Thomas, commissioner 
to the Penobscot Indians, 103. 

Rice, Zebulon, Putnam's father-in- 
law, 36. 

Richards, William, captain in the 
Revolution, 189. 

Ritlium, , captain in the Revo- 
lution, 87. 

Rivers, navigability of western, 283. 

Roads, Zane's, 125, 414-416, 419, 
420 ; importance and route, be- 
tween Lake Erie and the Ohio, 
283-289; from Belpre to Ports- 
mouth, 430; between Marietta 
and St. Clairsville, 431-434, 437- 
440, 442 ; proposed, through Lan- 
caster, 432, 434; cost, 431, 432, 
438, 442 ; routes to the Scioto, 
434. 435 ; existing, in Ohio in 
1802, 435, 436. 

Robertson, Col. James, Amherst's 
quartermaster-general, 28. 

Rochambeau, Count de, makes 
junction with American army, 86. 

Rogers, Capt. Joseph, in Ohio, 112 ; 
killed, 114, 253. 

Rosecrantz, , mission to the Iro- 
quois, 331. 

Rosolen, Fort, on the Mississippi, 
43- 

Ruggles, Timothy, colonel in the 
French and Indian War, 22. 

Sacket, Richard (J. M.), captain in 
the Revolution, 87, 169, 173, 175. 

Sadler, Capt. John, Putnam lives 
with, 9, 10. 

St. Clair, Gen. Arthur, governor of 
Northwest Territory, 107, 233, 
405, 427 ; arrives at Marietta, 
107 ; Fort Harmar treaty, 108, 
249, 259; defeat, 116; to com- 



mand against the Indians, 254 ; 
wrong tactics, 295, 328. 

St. Clairsville, Ohio, road to Mari- 
etta, 431-434. 437-440, 442. 

Salem, Ohio, Christian Indian town, 
418. 

Sanburn, Enoch, of Machias, Me., 

lOI. 

Sandusky River, Ohio, plan to at- 
tack Indians on, 268. 

Sargent, Winthrop, secretary of 
Northwest Territory, to Putnam 
and Symmes, 1792, necessary 
legislation, 309. 

Leaves for Marietta, 249. 

Satwell (Sartwell), Simon, captain 
in the Revolution, 173. 

Sawyer's Station, Ohio, 408. 

Schoenbrun, Ohio, Christian In- 
dian town, 418. 

Scioto River, Ohio, strategic impor- 
tance of mouth, 389, 391, 394, 397. 

Scull, , postmaster at Pittsburg, 

392. 

Secretary of State. See Pickering. 

Secretary of the Treasury. See Gal- 
latin, Wolcott. 

Secretary of War. See Knox, Pick- 
ering. 

Seeley, , colonel in the Revolu- 
tion, 142. 

Seven Castles, Indians in Canada, 
263, 277. 

Shaw, Thomas, Indians capture, 
112. 

Shawnee Indians, hostility, in, 233, 
313, 319 ; expedition against, 248 ; 
land treaty with, 259; speeches 
sent to, 269, 368 ; supposed hostile 
advice, 280, 281. See also Indians. 

Shays's Rebellion, 103. 

Shearwood, Justice, 153. 

Sheldon, Elisha, colonel in the Re- 
volution, 87, 164, 168, 169, 193, 
195. 

Shepard, William, colonel in the 
Revolution, resigns, 95, 98 ; rank, 

133- 
Sherman, Abel, killed, 115. 
Sherman, Isaac, lieutenant-colonel 

in the Revolution, 133. 
Sherman's Station, Ohio, 408. 
Simonds, Joseph, wounded, 115. 
Six Nations. See Iroquois. 
Skean, Major Philip, and the pro- 



458 



INDEX 



vincials, i6, 17 ; and Putnam, 27, 

Slaves, return of those taken by 
Indians, 326, 364, 365. 

Smith, Lieut.-Col. Calvin, at Ver- 
planck Point, 83, 139; absent on 
leave, 95 ; at Croton River, 136. 

Smith, Major John, commandant 
of Fort Jefferson, 278, 318. 

Snake, Capt., Munsee chief, 268. 

South Amboy, N. J., reconnois- 
sance from, 85, 141. 

Spain and the Indian lands, 342. 

Sproat, Col. Ebenezer, from Picker- 
ing, 1795, militia guard, account, 
406; from Putnam, 1795, militia 
guard, 407. 

Conducts a party to the Ohio, 
103 ; surveyor for Ohio Com- 
pany, 107 ; commands militia, 
113; in the Revolution, 158. 

Stacy, John, killed, 112, 247. 

Stacy, Philip, Indians capture, 112 ; 
death, 123. 

Stacy, William, killed, 247. 

Stanwix, Fort, N. Y., importance, 
202. 

Stevens, , captain in the Re- 
volution, 177. 

Stevens, , commissary, 192. 

Stevens, Col. Ebenezer, at Free- 
man's Farm, 69. 

Stirling, Lord, at White Plains, 62. 

Stony Point, N. Y., capture, 82, 83 ; 
strategic importance, 200. See 
also Verplanck Point. 

Story, Rev. Daniel, at Marietta, 
109, 254. 

Strong (?), , major in the Re- 
volution, 149. 

Sumner, Major Job, command on 
Lake Cham plain, 72, 

Survey, surveyor-general, 99, 100, 
125, 126, 411, 412, ,439-441; in 
Maine, 100, loi ; of western lands 
prevented, 100-102 ; of Marietta, 
104; of Ohio Company lands, 
106, 124; of lands for French- 
men at Gallipolis, 123, 409, 410; 
cost, 410, 438, 439 ; of Zane's 
lands, 125, 419; of Moravian 
lands, 418 ; clerk for surveyor- 
general, 420-422, 425 ; of the mil- 
itary tract, 422-425 ; of other 
public lands in 1798, 424 ; map of 



portion of Northwest Territory, 
430 ; of road between Marietta 
and St. Clairsville, 431-434, 437. 

Swan, Major Caleb, 376. 

Symmes, J. C, territorial judge, 
107, 233. 

Tallmadge, Benjamin (?), major in 
the Revolution, 189, 194, 196. 

Thomas, Ephraim, soldier in the 
Revolution, 187. 

Thompson, Col. Joseph, to Putnam. 
1780, reHef of prisoners, 146. 

Thomson, Charles, secretary of 
Congress, to Putnam, 1785, sur- 
veyor of western lands, 232. 

Ticonderoga, Fort, N. Y., Aber- 
crombie's attack, 22-25 '■> French 
evacuate, 26. 

Tilghman, Tench, colonel in the 
Revolution, 82. 

Tillinghast, Lieut. John, 385. 

Tobacco, Indian chief, 358. 

Trade, illicit, in Vermont, 201 ; In- 
dian, 202, 217, 218, 235, 240; 
western, 234-241, 246 ; Indian 
desire for traders, 343, 349, 356, 

357- 

Treaty, Fort Mcintosh, 102, 258 ; 
Fort Harmar, 108, 249, 258, 259 ; 
Vincennes, 120, 335-366, 371, 
377, 378 ; land, with the Shaw- 
nees, 258, 259; Wayne's, 425. 

Trescott, Lemuel, major in the Re- 
volution, 187. 

Troop, Zebulon, killed, 1 1 2, 247. 

Trotter, John (.?), major in the Re- 
volution, 136. 

Trueman, Capt. Alexander, peace 
messenger to the Indians, killed, 
119, 263, 270, 274, 292, 296, 301, 

3"-3i3- 

Tupper, Major Anselm, surveyor 
of western lands, loi, 102 ; at 
Marietta, 107. 

Tupper, Gen. Benjamin, interested 
in settlement of the W^est, 102, 
225 ; arrives at Marietta, 107. 

Tupper, Benjamin, husband of Mar- 
tha Putnam, 36 n. ; receiver of 
public moneys, 443. 

Turner, George, territorial judge, 

233- 
Tweetwee Indians, speech sent to, 
269. 



INDEX 



459 



Urqurhart, George, plantation on 
the Mississippi, 42. 

Vanderburgh, Major Henry, at 
Vincennes, 3S0, 383. 

Varnum, J. M., director of Ohio 
Company, arrives at Marietta, 
106; territorial judge, 107. 

Vermont, control, 201. 

Verplanck Point, N. Y., captured 
by British, 79 ; reconnoissance 
on, in 1779,80, 137-140; move- 
ment on, 81-85. 

Vigo, Francis, 274. 

Vincennes, Ind., Indian treaty at, 
120; importance of post at, 202 ; 
agreement for peace at, 263 n., 
264, 267 ; advisability of, and 
preparation for council at, 276, 
279-282, 293, 297-309, 313, 320- 
324, 333 ; sale of liquor to Indians 
at council forbidden, 334 ; journal 
of council, 335-362 ; sale of site 
by Indians, 354, 358 ; treaty, 363- 

366, 371, 377, 378; expense of 
council, 382, 383. 

Vincent, Hannah, 173. 

Viviat, Louis, land purchase, 378. 

Wabash Indians, council with, 120; 
chiefs go to Philadelphia, 121, 

367, 372 ; make peace, 263 n., 264, 
267, 296 ; presents, 264, 362, 370, 
37 1 ; prisoners at Fort Washing- 
ton, 267, 273, 298, 300, 304, 322, 
333 ; advisability of, and prepa- 
ration for council with, 276, 279- 
282, 293, 297-309, 313, 320-324, 
333; lands of, not desired, 313 ; 
speech sent to, 307, 308 ; neces- 
sity of a high civil agent as nego- 
tiator with, 323 ; journal of ne- 
gotiation with, 335-362 ; fear of 
losing lands, 342, 343, 345, 347, 
349, 351,356; desire for traders, 
343, 349, 356, 357 ; lands sold to 
the French, 354, 358 ; text of 
treaty, 363-366 ; lands guaranteed 
to, 364 ; final speech to, 366, 367 ; 
to carry speech to hostiles, 366, 
370 ; interpretation of treaty, 377, 
378 ; Viviat land purchase, 378 ; 
cost of council, 382, 383. See 
also Indians. 

Wabash Land Company, purchase, 
378. 



Walker, Sylvanus, lieutenant in 
French and Indian War, 17. 

Washington, George, 1784, adver- 
tisement of his western lands, 
228. — To Congress, 1776, prepa- 
rations at New York, 59 ; corps of 
engineers, 61,66. — To Putnam, 
1776, ordered to New York, 129; 
engineer, 59 ; obstructions, 65 ; 
regimental command, 66; 1778, 
rank, 130; reconnoissance, 76; 
1779, pass, 80; 1782, resignation 
or promotion, 96 ; 1784, western 
settlement, 226. — From Putnam, 
1776, reconnoissance, 129; 1778, 
rank, 131 ; reconnoissance, 77 ; 
1779, reconnoissance on Ver- 
planck Point, 137 ; detachment 
report, 140; 1782, promotion, 97 ; 
1783, Major Nathan Goodale, 69; 
settlement and protection of the 
West, 216; 1784, same, 223 ; 1790, 
Indian attacks, outlaws, 232. 

Before Boston, alternative 
plans, 56; before the battle of 
White Plains, 63 ; movement 
against Verplanck Point, 81-85; 
evidences of friendship for Put- 
nam, 99, 100. 

Washington, Fort, mail station, 
386. See also Wilkinson. 

Washington, Ky., mail station, 396. 

Waterbury, Gen. David, to Putnam, 
1781, winter quarters, 87. 

Waterford, Ohio, settled, 109 ; In- 
dian attack, 112, 114; defensive 
measures, 272. 

Waterman, Sherman, killed, 115. 

Wayne, Gen. Anthony, to Putnam, 
1779, reconnoissance, 141 ; 1792, 
murder of peace messengers, 311. 

— To Wilkinson, 1792, peace or 
war, preparations, 330. — From 
Putnam, 1792, disposition of 
troops, 271 ; attack near Fort 
Jefferson, 291 ; illness, war to con- 
tinue, 375; 1793, same, 375. 

Attack on Stony Point, 82 ; 
commands light infantry corps, 
85 ; in command in the West, 266, 
269 ; treaty, 425. 
Wea Indians, to Putnam, 1792, 
speech at Fort Washington, 297. 

— From Putnam, 1792, speech at 
Fort Washington, 298 ; and at 
Vincennes, 333. 



460 



INDEX 



At Vincennes council, 121, 335; 
peace, 263, 296 ; chief at Fort 
Washington, 275. See also 
Wabash Indians. 

Weaughtenon Indians at Vincennes 
council, 121, 335. 

Webb, Charles, colonel in the Re- 
volution, 133. 

Webb, Gen. Daniel, at Fort Ed- 
ward, 14; reputation, 15. 

Weisenfels, Frederick, lieutenant- 
colonel in the Revolution, 195, 
196. 

Wells, William, from Putnam, 1792, 
instructions as peace messenger, 
370. 

Indian interpreter, 296, 338 ; 
on the Viviat purchase, 371 ; mur- 
der of, feared, 376 ; wages, 381. 

West, the, defence, 202-206, 218- 
220, 242-245, 250, 283-291, 293- 
295, 314, 315; Washington's ad- 
vertisement of his lands, 227-232 ; 
commercial interests and loyalty, 
234-239 ; value of, to the Union, 
239-242 ; education, 244. See also 
Northwest Territory. 

West Point, fortifications, 73-75 ; as 
site for arsenal and military 
school, 200. 

Whitcomb, Joseph, captain in the 
French and Indian War, 22. 

White, Major Hatfield, conducts 
party to the Ohio, 103. 

White Plains, N. Y., Putnam's 
scout before the battle, 61-64 ; 
battle, 64. 

Wigglesworth, Edward, colonel in 
the Revolution, 133. 

Wilderness Road, mail route dis- 
continued, 386, 413. 

Wilkinson, Gen. James, to Putnam, 
1792, preparation for Vincennes 
council, 278, 300 ; convoy, cap- 
tured slaves, 326; exploration, 
Wayne's preparations, Indian 
raid, 328. — From Putnam, 1792, 
preparation for Indian councils, 
272, 299, 304, 324 ; Indian goods, 



370. — From Wayne, 1792, peace 
or war, preparations, 330. 

Commandant at Fort Wash- 
ington, peace messenger, 262; 
brings news of attack near Fort 
Jefferson, 273 ; attack on Eel 
River Indians, 346. 

Willard, Aaron, captain in the 
French and Indian War, 26. 

Willard, Abijah, colonel in the 
French and Indian War, 33. 

William Henry, Fort, N. Y., cap- 
ture, 13, 14. 

Williams, , captain in the Re- 
volution, 173, 175. 

Wolcott, Oliver, secretary of the 
treasury, to Putnam, 1798, clerk 
for surveyor-general, surveys, 
425 ; squatters, 428. — From Put- 
nam, 1796, surveys, 409; 1797, 
Zane's lands and road, 419 ; 1798, 
clerk for surveyor-general, sur- 
veys, 420 ; surveys, 423 ; squat- 
ters, 429. 

Wolf Creek. See Waterford. 

Woodbridge, Dudley, recommended 
for judgeship, 412 n. 

Woods, Joseph, register of land of- 
fice, 436. 

Worm (Wurmb), Hessian com- 
mander, 185, 186. 

Worth, Robert, killed, 115. 

Wyandotte Indians, hostility sus- 
pected, III, 233, 248, 252 ; treaty 
with, 258; speeches sent to, 269, 
368 ; supposed hostile counsel, 
280, 281 ; move westward, 315. 
See also Indians. 

Wyllis, Samuel, colonel m the Re- 
volution, 56. 

X. Y. Z. mission, dissemination of 
instructions, 426, 427. 

Zane, Ebenezer, lands and road, 

125, 414-416, 419, 420. 
Zanesville, Ohio, roads to Gnaden- 

hutten and the Scioto River, 435 ; 

to Marietta, 436. 



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